Cleveland Browns draft profile: Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward
The Cleveland Browns are re-tooling their roster and defensive help would be a great asset for 2018. Despite being a bit undersized, Ohio State’s Denzel Ward looks to follow in the footsteps of great Buckeye cornerbacks in the NFL.
When cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley left for the NFL following the 2016 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes seemed like they had a hole at the position. However, with the emergence of Nordonia Hiigh School alumnus Denzel Ward during the 2017 season, the Buckeyes were back on track in their defensive secondary.
Now, Ward is leaving for the NFL and will be entering this month’s 2018 NFL Draft. If the Browns want to upgrade from Briean Boddy-Calhoun at nickel corner, Ward could absolutely be their guy. Let’s take a quick look at what he brings to the table.
Instincts and Production
In the first game of the season, and Ward’s first game as a true starter, the Buckeyes tasked him with defending Indiana’s Simmie Cobbs Jr. Despite Cobbs being 6-foot-4 and Ward being 5-foot-10, Ward made the best of the situation.
On the night, Ward collected four tackles and one of his two interceptions on the season. While those are not eye-popping numbers, they say a lot about a nickel corner defending a receiver with the size of Cobbs.
Ward’s instincts and ball skills made him deadly in the Buckeyes’ secondary. He continued to be a playmaker for Ohio State, and solidified himself as a first-round talent over the course of the season.
Ward continued to produce throughout the season, gathering 37 tackles and two interceptions in the 11 games that he played in 2017. For his college career, Ward had a total of 67 tackles and 24 batted passes as a nickel corner and mostly non-starter.
Size and the Impact of his Size
One thing that is worrying about Ward is his size, or lack thereof. Again, Ward is 5-foot-10, and while it may not be enough to make up for his frame, he wowed athletically at the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
Ward was one of the fastest athletes at the Combine, and was tied as the fastest cornerback (4.32 seconds) in the 40-yard dash. So, maybe Ward can get by as a 5-foot-10 outside corner. However, the true results outside of the slot corner position remain to be seen.
Overall
Above all else, Ohio State’s Denzel Ward is electric, and can make plays with his speed and ball skills. He might be a bit small for the position, but he makes up for it in freaky athleticism and raw talent.
Should he be the Browns’ pick at No. 4 overall? Well, he could certainly be in play. As a cornerback, Ward has an outside shot of being a top-5 pick in this draft class. That alone speaks volumes to his talent.
Next: Browns draft profile: Louisville QB Lamar Jackson
The Browns have quietly built a solid defense around pieces like defensive ends Emmanuel Ogbah and Myles Garrett, and linebacker Christian Kirksey. Ward could be the next piece of the puzzle, and the Macedonia native would be a welcome addition to the Dawg Pound.