6 Browns most likely to make the Pro Bowl in 2023

Despite finishing 7-10 in 2022, the Cleveland Browns had four players make the Pro Bowl. Their top two players were of course named to the All-Star Team, with Myles Garrett and Nick Chubb each making the roster for the fourth time.

The long-standing veteran of the group was Joel Bitonio, who made it for the fifth time. Cleveland’s star left guard was joined by the team’s right guard as well, with Wyatt Teller earning his first Pro Bowl.

We still have a long way to go in 2023, so things could change but now that we’re approaching the halfway point, it feels like a good time to identify the top six candidates to represent the Browns this year during the league’s all-star festivities.

6. Dustin Hopkins, K

Just ahead of the regular season opener, the Browns decided to move on from Cade York. It was a tough pill to swallow since the LSU kicker was selected with a fourth-round pick in 2022 but it had to be done. They were also fortunate enough to land an experienced and successful kicker in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers.

In exchange for a seventh-round pick, Cleveland acquired Dustin Hopkins, who just lost a competition with Cameron Dicker — who has been practically automatic since signing with the Chargers. 

Since joining the Browns, Hopkins has proven to be an absolute weapon. He’s hit on 18-of-20 field goal attempts and is an impressive 7-of-7 on kicks over 50 yards. He was also honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame after setting a record with five consecutive games with a kick from beyond 50.

Kickers are often overlooked but they make the Pro Bowl too. And Hopkins has as good a shot as any — with his replacement in L.A., and of course, Justin Tucker of Baltimore, as his primary competition.

5. Denzel Ward, CB

The Browns entered the 2018 NFL Draft with five picks in the first two rounds and wound up with a couple of game-changers. Some of those picks didn't work out as they eventually moved on from Baker Mayfield who they took No. 1 overall and never saw Austin Corbett (No. 33 overall) take off. They also traded down with their fifth pick, which turned into Chad Thomas — another player who didn’t last.

Despite all this, Cleveland hit a home run at No. 4 and No. 35 with Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb. Both have become cornerstones and we’ve seen how valuable Chubb is this year since the offense has struggled without him. Especially in the red zone.

As for Ward, he’s been a solid presence his entire career and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and then returned in 2021. He struggled at times in 2022 while being forced to play more zone coverage but under Jim Schwartz, he’s been an absolute stud.

Ward has been a lockdown corner in man coverage while also showing no fear as a tackler, which is a highly underrated part of his game.

Should his play continue at this level, and there’s nothing to suggest it won’t, Ward should be earning his third Pro Bowl nomination this year.

After seven games, Ward has allowed a quarterback rating of just 64.0 while surrendering a completion percentage under 50 (according to Pro Football Reference ). He’s also broken up seven passes while recording one interception.

4. Joel Bitonio, G

After years of complaints about how boring the Pro Bowl is, the NFL responded by bringing in a skills competition. There were some issues, which included Myles Garrett suffering a dislocated toe during the "gridiron gauntlet'. But there was some fun to be had as well, which is where Joel Bitonio comes in.

The All-Pro Cleveland guard showed off some soft hands when he caught passes from the Jugs machine and then showed out in the water balloon challenge. If that wasn't enough, he also fielded punts with just one hand.

While it was excellent to see Bitonio having so much fun at the event, he's not going to be brought back for his catching ability. Instead, he's likely headed for a sixth Pro Bowl due to the fact that he's one of the best (and most consistent) offensive linemen in the entire NFL.

Bitonio earned a top-five grade from PFF three years in a row from 2020 through 2022. As of now, he has his lowest career grade (65.7) and is just 25th. However, that feels incredibly low compared to what he's brought to the Browns offense.

Even with Nick Chubb suffering a knee injury in Week 2, Cleveland is second in the NFL with 1,040 yards on the ground. They have four players with more than 100 yards while Jerome Ford leads the way with 381 yards. Much of that damage has come when running behind No. 75, who is a mauler in the run game. That's the primary reason he's likely to be named to Pro Bowl No. 6.

3. Martin Emerson, CB

Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, the Browns first selection was supposed to be in Round 2. That didn't happen since they decided to trade down, which meant their first pick wasn't until Round 3 at No. 68 overall. That's where they landed Martin Emerson, who found himself in a crowded secondary once he arrived in Berea.

Denzel Ward was — and still is — the leader of the pack plus they also had another first-round pick in Greg Newsome II and a former second-rounder, Greedy Williams. Even with the big names around him, Emerson stood out as a special talent and started six games while playing in all 17.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, Emerson looks much larger than this when matched up with wideouts. He's also extremely physical but is able to play this way without getting flagged constantly.

As good as he was as a rookie, Emerson has completely blown expectations out of the water this year. Jim Schwartz is allowing him to play tight coverage and he has 21 tackles, six pass defenses, and two picks so far.

Emerson's ascension has been fun to watch and if he continues to play at this level, he has an excellent chance of earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

2. Grant Delpit, S

This feels like a common theme, but only because it is. Grant Delpit is another player who has been solid throughout his career but took his game to another level when Jim Schwartz took over.

Delpit, who was forced to play more deep coverage under Joe Woods due to the lack of a true free safety, has also benefited from the addition of Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod. With their coverage ability, he's been moved around more and has been allowed to attack the ball.

Through seven games, he has 43 tackles — 33 of which are solo tackles — as well as two for a loss. He's also broken up two passes, recorded an interception, and has a fumble recovery as well.

Delpit, who was widely expected to be a first-round pick when he left LSU, fell to Round 2 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Cleveland moved up to ensure they landed him but he then missed his entire rookie campaign when he ruptured his Achilles in training camp.

Since returning in 2021, he's continually grown as a player and is excelling during his contract year. At this point, he's an integral part of their defense and it would be wise to lock him up sooner rather than later.

1. Myles Garrett, EDGE

There's no player on the Cleveland roster with a better chance of being named to the Pro Bowl than Myles Garrett.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 entered this season with 75 career tackles, which is already the most in franchise history. He's now up to 83 after recording 8.5 sacks in the first seven games. Garrett has also forced four fumbles already, which is the most in the league right now — and it also ties his career high.

Garrett has been an absolute nightmare for opposing teams and has put up double-digit sacks in each season since 2018. That includes 16 in both 2021 and 2022 — which is the record for the most in a single season in Cleveland history. This year, however, he's taken his game to a whole new level.

Under Jim Schwartz, Garrett seems to be having more fun than he has at any time in his career and he even recently backed up the coaching staff in a press conference following their loss to Seattle, which is something he wasn't doing while Joe Woods was calling defensive plays.

He's a perfect fit for the style Schwartz brings and isn't just destined for another Pro Bowl, but he could be in line for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award as well.

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