The Cleveland Browns' defense has its share of impact players across the board, with Jared Verse, Carson Schwesinger, and Denzel Ward being a few names that jump out at each level. Others such as Mason Graham and Grant Delpit will make plenty of plays, too.
Cleveland no longer has Myles Garrett after trading him to the Los Angeles Rams, but the Browns' defense is set to be a formidable unit, and it’s well-equipped to wreak havoc once again.
Part of the reason for that expectation is the commendable work from unheralded players like Alex Wright and Ronnie Hickman, both of whom could break out in 2026. Another name could be flying a bit under the radar, though.
General manager Andrew Berry recently praised that player on an episode of This Is Football with ESPN's Kevin Clark. Berry labeled Tyson Campbell as Cleveland’s "most underrated" player, as highlighted by Browns beat reporter Daniel Oyefusi.
Something else that also caught my attention: Berry called CB Tyson Campbell the most underrated player on the team.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 6, 2026
Campbell’s had a good start to camp as the corner opposite Denzel Ward that gets a lot of targets. https://t.co/U0UhgOK8Mr
Tyson Campbell may be overlooked, but he's becoming a difference-maker for the Browns
After being acquired midseason last year via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Campbell has gotten off to a nice start to his career with the Browns.
The 6-foot-1 Campbell fits well with Cleveland on the outside with his length and, as Berry alluded to, his physicality. Campbell makes it tough for receivers to get to their spots, and he can shrink throwing windows as a result.
Additionally, the Browns' man-heavy defense in 2025 proved to be a boost for Campbell's game, and that should continue. With Cleveland still set to feature plenty of man coverage under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, Campbell stands to benefit from playing opposite Ward.
Campbell registered 12 passes defensed with the Browns over 12 games last year, along with a pick-six. For the year as a whole, Campbell's Pro Football Focus grade of 69.8 ranked 25th out of 114 qualified cornerbacks.
Berry's decision to trade for Campbell proved to be a good one for the Browns, as they moved Greg Newsome II in the process as part of that trade. Newsome was struggling and did not do well with Jacksonville last year. He ended up signing a one-year deal with the New York Giants this offseason, and clearly has a lot to prove going forward. He has largely struggled the past two years after a reliable first three seasons as a pro.
As it pertains to Campbell, Berry definitely has a point. Regardless of the chatter — or lack thereof — Campbell should continue to prove he can hold it down for Cleveland’s defense on the perimeter. If he continues making plays on the back end while contributing in run support, the Browns should have every reason to keep the 26-year-old around long term.
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