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Cleveland Browns draft: Top 3 players taken at pick No. 44 in NFL draft

By Greg Newland

Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit (22) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit (22) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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5 Dec 1999: Patrick Surtain #23 of the Miami Dolphins looks down his opponent during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport /

Best player at pick 44 no. 3 – Patrick Surtain, Miami Dolphins

At pick No. 44 in the 1998 draft, the Miami Dolphins drafted a cornerback from Southern Miss by the name of Patrick Surtain. At the time they thought they were getting a good player, but I don’t think they expected a guy who would be in the organization for seven seasons earning three pro-bowl trips and one season as an all-pro.

In an 11-year career with both the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at the end, Surtain totaled 37 interceptions, 547 tackles, 105 pass deflections, and two defensive touchdowns. Corners weren’t nearly as integral parts of the defense as they are now, but in his era, Surtain was “lockdown”.

Not only was Surtain tough as nails, but he was also durable. In today’s league with all of the hard hits, the most important thing is not always a player’s ability, but their availability. In an 11-season career, Surtain missed more than two games only once, and that was his final year in the league.

With the Browns drafting Greedy Williams and Greg Newsome in recent years, I’m not sure a cornerback is in play in 2022 at pick No. 44. However, with Denzel Ward in the final year of his contract, there are questions if there will be enough money to keep him around.

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