Cleveland Browns steal top cornerback in Divisional Round 2021 NFL mock draft

Shaun Wade had an excellent 2019 campaign, showcasing strong run defense, good coverage from the slot, fantastic zone instincts and feel, and the ability to seamlessly rotate between safety and slot corner. In order to increase his draft stock, he returned to school to prove himself as a boundary corner.

Things did not go as planned for Wade, as he struggled mightily on the outside and has been much-maligned over the past few weeks. He cost himself a lot of money by not entering the 2020 NFL Draft, and would probably be a late Day 3 pick if he were to be judged on just his 2020 play.

But that’s not what will happen. Teams will see the physicality in the run game and the great tape he put up in 2019 and draft him as a safety/slot corner on Day 2, and reap the rewards. Wade played out of position in 2020, and it showed. Once he moves back inside, he’ll return to form, and the Browns will benefit.

Both Tommy Togiai and Haskell Garrett sort of burst onto the scene out of nowhere in 2020, providing the Buckeyes with some excellent interior play. Unfortunately, Togiai was forced to miss the National Championship Game against Alabama because of COVID-19, and his absence was felt in the worst way, as the Crimson Tide ran for 157 yards, a number which would have been much higher had Bama not been able to throw the ball downfield at will.

Togiai is a strong run defender at 6-2 300 pounds who also showed off a surprising ability to rush the passer. The future of the Browns iDL room is clouded, and Togiai would provide at worst solid roational depth, if not good starter-level play.