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Analytical look at the Cleveland Browns: Defensive Back

By Jarrett Griebeler

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 14: Cornerback Greedy Williams #26 celebrates with cornerback Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns after a play during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 14: Cornerback Greedy Williams #26 celebrates with cornerback Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns after a play during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Cornerback Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns guards wide receiver Alex Erickson #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 08: Cornerback Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns guards wide receiver Alex Erickson #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bengals 27-19. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Denzel Ward 5-11, 190 lbs. 3rd Year as Pro

Denzel Ward is the true No. 1 corner on this team. He’s shown the ability to shadow the top receiver on the opposing team and has had success since entering the league in 2018.

Like Williams, Ward missed the first four games with injury but bounced back and played the remaining 12. He amassed two interceptions, one of them being a pick-six, and having 11 deflections and 44 total tackles on the year.

One big difference between his two seasons is how many touchdowns given up in coverage as he reduced this number from five in 2018 to only one in 2019. He was targeted 83 times this past year, seven times less than in 2018 but gave up more receptions in 2019 with 46 than 2018 with 40.

A place of improvement for him would be tackling as he has a 21 percent missed tackle rate. If Ward can stay healthy, it’ll be interesting to see what he can do in a full season.

He hasn’t played more than 12 games in his two years as a pro so the team is probably banking on him being able to play at least more than 14.

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For Ward, this season should be the time to solidify himself as a lockdown corner as well as make a case for him to be the best DB in the AFC North.

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