Have the Cleveland Browns built a strong foundation?
By Dan Justik
Defensive Playmakers (3): Denzel Ward, Damarious Randall, Joe Schobert
The Browns young defense has been one of the biggest surprises of the season for the team. The organization made a bunch of moves across the defense and there were not many expectations for the unit. Instead, the defense has shown a lot of potential and a lot of excitement for fans.
The man that likely has the brightest future on the defense is the fourth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward has been tasked with playing against some of the best receivers in the league and he has held his own this season.
Ward has made 48 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended in his rookie season. Pro Football Focus has graded Ward as the 11th best cornerback in the NFL in 2018, and the sixth best cornerback in coverage.
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Ward has elite speed, which has made it difficult for receivers to create enough separation to make big plays with Ward in coverage. And Ward’s ball skills allows to make plays on passes, making him extremely difficult to complete passes on.
Behind Ward in the back-end of the defense is free safety Damarious Randall, who has thrived since being moved from cornerback when he was traded to the Browns. Randall has been a ball hawk in the deep middle third of the defense, which has caused quarterbacks to not risk throwing the ball deep on the Browns.
In his first year with Cleveland, Randall has made 65 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and eight passes defended. Not only has he been a ball-hawk for the Browns, but he has been extremely reliable as a tackler. According to Pro Football Focus, Randall has only missed three tackles this season.
Randall has quickly established himself as one of the best play-makers for the Browns defense. Although he has been dealing with minor injuries all season, the Browns defense has transformed because of his presence. Knowing that he can make plays as the free safety, it allows the Browns to be more aggressive in the front seven.
The third play-maker on the Browns defense is one of the most underrated players in the entire league, linebacker Joe Schobert. Schobert has been credited with being the on-field brains of the Browns defense, and his presence is invaluable. But not only his knowledge important, but Schobert is able to make plays all over the field.
In nine games this season, Schobert has made 73 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Schobert is a reliable tackler in the middle of the field, but is very successful when he drops into coverage. Pro Football Focus has graded Schobert as the second best coverage linebacker in the NFL this season.
With Ward, Randall, and Schobert, the Browns have three play-makers in the defense to build around. Add in Garrett and Ogunjobi, and the Browns defense has the potential to be one of the best defenses in a few seasons.