Cleveland Browns: Keep No. 4 pick, select CB Denzel Ward

Despite rumors of the Cleveland Browns trading out of the No. 4 spot, they ended up staying put and selecting Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward

Well this draft night hasn’t gone like many expected. For months the consensus has been that the Cleveland Browns would end up with quarterback Sam Darnold out of USC at No. 1 and either Penn State running back Saquon Barkley or North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb at No. 4.

None of those scenarios played out. Cleveland kicked the night off by drafting Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield at No. 1 and then a couple picks later took Ohio State corner Denzel Ward.

Ward gets to stay in state to play, and was a bit of a surprise pick — for those who weren’t paying attention.

After Barkley was taken off the board by the New York Giants at No. 2 and Darnold went three, there were calls for Chubb to be the pick.

For the Browns though, that didn’t make as much sense as Ward. Currently the Browns have 2017 first-round pick Myles Garrett and 2016 second-round pick Emmanuel Ogbah starting on the edges. Chubb would have made them a solid three-man rotation, but he would have been a luxury pick, rather than filling a need.

Ward fills a need as a potential shut-down corner. He had a blazing time in the 40-yard dash and is still improving as a player after playing behind 2017 first-round picks Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley.

There were rumors that Cleveland would trade out of their spot and acquire more picks. They likely were wanting to take some calls on that, but in the end they decided it was best to select Ward than take any deals they were offered — if any.

Next: Baker Mayfield the pick at No. 1

As it stands now, the Browns are done until day two. They own picks No. 33, 35 and 64 in the second round.