DON’T FORGET THE OTHER GUY
By STEVE KING
The Browns are receiving loads of praise from every corner for getting it right in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The reference, of course, is to the fact the Browns took quarterback Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall. And that praise is understandable, for he has completely changed – transformed – the Browns, more often than not making big plays when they’ve needed to be made. A good team has a good quarterback. The Browns aren’t truly a good team yet – they’re getting closer, though they’re still working on it – but they appear to have a good quarterback.
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What’s being lost in all this, however, is the fact that Mayfield isn’t the only player the Browns hit on in the first round. Another came three picks later, at No. 4 overall, with the selection of cornerback Denzel Ward.
Ward, a Nordonia High School and Ohio State product, was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week this week for his play, particularly his blocked field goal, in last Sunday’s 12-9 victory in overtime over the Baltimore Ravens.
Yes, Ward has been outstanding on special teams, and goodness knows that Cleveland’s horrible special teams need all of the outstanding players – or even just average players – they can get.
He has also been outstanding on defense. The Browns went into the draft needing to upgrade themselves significantly at cornerback – really, as much as they needed to do so at quarterback. Their corners the previous two seasons were slow, non-athletic and bad hands. Adding Ward changed that dramatically, giving the Browns the shutdown corner they so desperately needed. He has helped the defense nearly as much as Mayfield has aided the offense.
Getting another top cornerback in next year’s draft might be the top priority right now. If not, then it’s certainly on the short list of the position areas being considered.
And if the Browns do indeed get another great corner in 2019, then they will have gotten it right at the top of the draft for the second straight year.
