Cleveland Browns: 3 pleasant surprises this season
2. Free agent cornerbacks
The Browns signed a bevy of cornerbacks in the offseason, in addition to drafting Ohio State product Denzel Ward. E.J. Gaines, T.J. Carrie, and Terrance Mitchell were three of names that joined the fray during the 2018 offseason. Every single one of them have paid off at some point in time for the Cleveland Browns defense.
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It’s no secret that the Browns needed serious help in the secondary going into 2018. They fixed their safety group with the trade for Damarious Randall and the repositioning of Jabrill Peppers, but the cornerback duo was still a question mark. So, the Browns dropped their nets into the free agent waters and signed as many cornerbacks as they could.
Drafting Denzel Ward has certainly helped the free agent class of cornerbacks, as Ward has shown himself to be a true No. 1 corner. But, that does not take away from just how well Cleveland’s free agent cornerback class has played. Terrence Mitchell was exceptional before his arm injury, and Carrie and Gaines have done well filling his spot until he gets back.
Denzel Ward is a franchise cornerstone, but every great defense is only as good as its weakest link. The Browns’ free agents have made sure that they aren’t the ones left behind in Cleveland’s new and improved secondary.