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Cleveland Browns 2015 Roster Analysis: Defensive backs

By Eric Szczepinski

Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39), cornerback Johnson Bademosi (24), cornerback Tramon Williams (22) and wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) stand for the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39), cornerback Johnson Bademosi (24), cornerback Tramon Williams (22) and wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) stand for the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) in the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Joe Haden

Age: 26

Experience: 6 years

Contract status: Free agent 2020

After an impressive 2014 season, which rewarded Joe Haden with his second trip to the Pro Bowl, the 2015 season was a major let down.

In former head coach Mike Pettine’s defense, Haden was asked to play on an island in one-on-one coverage against the opposing team’s best receiver. Haden did an exceptional job in this role in 2014, which added to his reputation as a lockdown corner. However, 2015 will be a season that Haden would like to quickly forget as he works to build himself back to Pro Bowl form.

Haden was limited to only five games on the season following two concussions, along with injuries to a finger and his ribs. When Haden was active, he was often burnt and had the worst pass coverage grades of his career. In no way shape or form did Haden look like the elite Pro Bowl corner that the Browns invested a longterm contract in.

Luckily for Haden, it is a new year, which means a new head coach and defensive coordinator. Haden will be asked to forget about his disappointing season and rebound in a huge way in 2016.

2016 Outlook:

Haden is not only the Browns best secondary player, he is a leader and one of the faces of the Browns. Haden will be asked by head coach Hue Jackson to step up and lead the defensive group in a new defensive system under defensive coordinator Ray Horton. That should be good news to Haden, who made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2013 during Horton’s first tenure running the Browns defense.

D. Haden was never fully healthily in 2015 and his play greatly suffered. 2016 is a new season and there is no excuse for Haden not to return to his lockdown form to help solidify a major problem on the Browns defense.. CB. Cleveland Browns. JOE HADEN

Next: Tramon Williams

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