Through five games, Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Denzel Ward has been well worth John Dorsey’s investment of the No. 4 overall pick. In addition to a Rookie of the Week honor in week one (and a nomination for week five), Ward has now been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for week five.
Cornerback Denzel Ward is turning out to be a terrific draft pick for the Cleveland Browns. How many times have we been able to say that over the past 20 years?
The Browns’ all-star front office seems to have hit a grand slam by selecting Ward with the No. 4 pick.
Through five games, Ward is locked in a dead heat for Defensive Rookie of the Year with Indianapolis Colts linebacker and tackling machine, Darius Leonard.
Cleveland’s rookie out of Ohio State just improved his case for the annual award, as the NFL has named Ward the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for week five, along with Panthers kicker Graham Gano in the NFC.
.@denzelward has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week! 🙌
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 10, 2018
📰 » https://t.co/MqOMWXqwPd pic.twitter.com/53SxxlTVxx
Not to overreact, but Ward may have saved the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with two crucial plays. One, his interception off of Joe Flacco in the red zone. Ward has taken advantage of every errant play through five games, and already has three interceptions, six passed defensed, and a forced fumble to show for it. But, that was not the only tremendous play Ward made in week five.
No, it was really the blocked kick by Ward that saved the Browns in this one. Any ball coming off the foot of Justin Tucker is almost guaranteed to go through the uprights, but Ward’s speed and knack for making plays at every crucial juncture made sure that Tucker’s leg could not rescue the Baltimore Ravens.
Ward’s fantastic block is what makes him this week’s AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, and hopefully he has many more honors coming his way.