5 Defensive backs Cleveland Browns should consider in 2023 NFL Draft

A year ago, many Cleveland Browns fans were surprised when they took cornerback Martin Emerson from Mississippi State with their first selection in the NFL Draft. Cleveland had two pretty good corners already in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome. Maybe the idea of drafting a defensive back at some point in the process wasn't a bad idea in itself but taking one so high was a bit of a shocker.

With that being said, if Cleveland takes another cornerback first in this draft, which should be pick No. 74, it would create more surprise feelings amongst its fan base. I don't expect the Browns to draft an additional corner this early, but this year's cornerback class is deep and they usually draft at least one or two each year. There are also many good safety prospects in this year's draft and some that are very versatile and could play at both corner and safety positions.

There are probably 15 to 20 corners and safeties that could be taken by pick No. 74. I'd think the team may take a defensive back or safety with one of their 4th or 5th-round picks.

Let's take a look at five prospects that are in this pool of corners and safeties, including one athlete that could be taken as high as that Cleveland No. 74 pick.

Browns DB prospect No. 5: Jakorian Bennett, Maryland, CB

Jakorian Bennett had been a heavily recruited youngster since coming out of high school. However, he first went and played at the Juco powerhouse Hutch Community College in Kansas.

He finally settled on playing at Maryland and had a solid career there. He tallied 63 tackles, 22 pass deflections, and five interceptions over the last two seasons with the Terrapins.

He ran a 4.3 at the recent NFL Combine and has good cornerback height at just under six foot. He's projected by many to be drafted sometime after the fourth round. Cleveland could pick Bennett and who would be able to quickly work his way into their secondary rotation.

Browns DB prospect No. 4: Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech, CB

Myles Brooks spent his first three seasons at Stephen F. Austin University where he played at a high level. He decided to transfer to Lousiana Tech this past season and had nine pass deflections, 29 tackles, and intercepted three passes. He made All-Conference USA Second Team this year as well.

He has great height at 6-foot-2 and is considered to have quick feet and excellent speed. He's primarily been used on the outside of the defense but has the skills to move into the slot and interior of the defense. His timing on taking away the receptions by receivers and that instinct is a good skill to have and he's never disappointed wherever he's played.

He hasn't defended the best competition in his career so far and how he transitions to the NFL game and speed have to be questioned. However, he's been successful at every level he's played at and if he were drafted in the middle to late rounds by Cleveland it would be a cautious but intriguing pick.

Browns DB prospect No. 3: Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State, S

Ji'Ayir Brown has been a steady presence on the Penn State defense over the last several seasons. He's played against some of the best competition having been in the Big Ten. He's a contact player and likes to get physical against his opponent and had a career-best six interceptions in his junior season.

Brown likes to tackle and help out in run defense and Cleveland needs more of those types of players that don't shy away from contact. His recent 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine was deemed a downer with only a 4.65 time clocked.

The idea that a time like that is considered poor is ridiculous. While the 40-yard dash is important to track, with Brown you need to only watch the film to know he's going to be a good NFL player.

Brown totaled 147 tackles over the past two seasons at Penn State. That included nine tackles for losses. He also collected 10 interceptions over the past two seasons. That aggressive style also got him three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. This kid would look really good in a Cleveland uniform.

Browns DB prospect No. 2: Jartavius Martin, Illinois, S/CB

If the Browns are looking for a very versatile player that could play free safety at times but also play up in the slot and give a player like Grant Delpit a breather from time to time, look no further than Jartavius Martin. This prospect would probably be my favorite to be selected by the Browns. He's projected to be drafted anywhere from the second round to the middle rounds.

The 6-foot-0 safety has great instincts and a knack for finding the ball. He's a very good tackler and will get dirty and play close to the line to help in run support. His speed is very good. He ran a 4.46 at the NFL Combine. His vertical was an impressive 44 inches. and his broad jump was outstanding at 11-foot-1.

For his career at Illinois, he collected 225 tackles, had 22 pass deflections, forced three fumbles, recovered two more fumbles, and had seven interceptions. He wore the Illinois orange in college. Wearing the Cleveland orange would be a nice transition for Martin.

Browns DB prospect No. 1: Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M, CB

Probably the most likely of this group we are looking at today to be drafted in the second or third round, Jaylon Jones of Texas A&M would be an ideal pick by the Browns if he were still there at the No. 74 selection.

He's an imposing player who likes to tackle and get physical. He's an excellent corner too in the run game and could help the Browns out since that hasn't been a strength of the team for some time. He stands at 6-foot-2 and has good speed. He ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

He's another one of these very versatile players that could play at both the corner and safety positions. He was a highly touted five-star recruit coming out of high school and has had a good career with the Aggies. He's tall and has been able to use that and his long-running and fluid strides to be able to defend all over the field well.

This class of cornerbacks and safeties is so deep in this draft so even if these players aren't available there will be other players available. Some other names to listen for include, safety Ronnie Hickman of Ohio State, cornerback Clark Phillips of Utah and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly from Stanford.