Cleveland Browns: Best 2018 offseason moves Browns made
By Dan Justik
4. Trading Danny Shelton to Patriots
When the Browns traded Danny Shelton to the Patriots, it was only the beginning of their flurry of moves in the offseason. It also raised questions as to why the Browns were so willing to move on from the former first-round pick.
The most likely motive to move on from Shelton and the reason why it was one of the best omves of the offseason for the Browns was to move 2017 third-round pick Larry Ogunjobi into the starting lineup. Playing in only 28.18 percent of the Browns defensive snaps in 2017, Ogunjobi compiled 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack.
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He has an excellent blend of quickness and strength that lets him plug gaps, but still get into the backfield. Shelton could only be played in run situations, but Ogunjobi can play every down. For the Browns, it made sense to use the guy that can play every down instead of the old-school run stuffer.
3. Drafting Denzel Ward
Some may say that the Browns could have traded down from the fourth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft and still selected Denzel Ward. But if Ward becomes the shutdown cornerback that the Browns expect him to, picking him fourth overall will be a great selection.
The Browns have not had a shutdown corner since Joe Haden before the injuries piled up on him. Cleveland had a miserable pass defense in 2017 because of the cornerbacks inability to play press-man coverage.
With Ward, they are getting a super athletic cornerback that can stay on the hip of wide receivers in man coverage. He has the ball skills that will make him a threat to intercept any pass thrown his way.
Playing in a division with Antonio Brown and A.J. Green, the Browns needed to find a shutdown corner. If Ward can shadow those receivers and limit what they do, Cleveland made an excellent selection at fourth overall.