5 Contracts for Cleveland Browns to visit in the next 12 months

2. Denzel Ward, Cornerback

With the fifth-year option selected on cornerback Denzel Ward, the Browns currently have him under contract for two more seasons at a friendly cap number. And while it is usually beneficial to extend a big-name player earlier than later, this situation may be different.

Ward is an elite player when he is on the field, the issue is he has never started more than 12 games in a season in his first three years. Health has become a major concern, and he does have a history of concussions.

I’m not saying this means not resign Ward, but I would wait on this one.  See if he plays a full season in 2021, and then even see how he performs through the start of 2022.  If he stays healthy it may cost you more money, but there is a huge risk in a major extension right now.

If the injuries stick around, his market value will tumble as teams need their highest-paid players on the field every single game. I’m a huge Ward fan and loved him at Ohio State, and while he doesn’t have anything to prove on the field, he must show he can stay on it.

I expect this to be a deal done early in the 2022 season, and hopefully, it is for big money after a breakout 2021 season.