Re-thinking 53-man Browns roster after cut down to 85

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BEREA, OH – JULY 31: Cornerback Greg Newsome II #20 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns Training Camp on July 31, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

Browns Roster: Cornerback (5)

Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Troy Hill, Greedy Williams, M.J. Stewart

Another position that the Browns knew needed to be addressed was cornerback. After struggling to stop the pass throughout the entire 2020 campaign, Cleveland signed slot cornerback Troy Hill in free agency. His addition will be a huge help since there really hasn’t been anyone in that role for years with the talent Hill has.

They then went out and drafted Northwestern’s Greg Newsome, who looked as though he truly belonged in the NFL while playing against the Jaguars. Yes, it was only one game but he stayed with his man and made clean tackles whenever he needed to.

He’s got a real chance to start opposite Denzel Ward, who is the alpha of this cornerback corps. Ward, the No. 4 overall pick in 2018 has never been anything less than special for this defense and the only thing that has ever stopped him is injuries — which is a concern for him and Newsome.

That’s also a concern for Greedy Williams, who missed all of the 2020 season as well as four games during his rookie campaign in 2019. He’s slowly coming back and even if he can’t beat out Newsome, he will have more than his share of snaps this season and will be a key piece to this defense.

Another guy who could be relied upon is M.J. Stewart. He edges out A.J. Green for the final spot, but mostly due to the fact that he’s better in the slot.

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