Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz came in and transformed the defense of the Cleveland Browns into the top unit in the NFL in just one season. And a big reason for that is due to the trust he can put into Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and the rest of the secondary to line up and do their job.
The Browns run more cover-1 than any team in the NFL, and they can do that because Ward and Emerson are not afraid to line up at the line of scrimmage and punch the man across from them in the face. They even have another first round pick in Greg Newsome II patrolling the nickel, giving them a formidable alliance of cornerbacks to put their trust in. This allows for pass rushers to get home as well.
Where does ESPN’s Mike Clay have the Browns’ cornerback room ranked among the rest of the NFL, however? We take a deep look now:
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Nov 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) celebrates an interception against New England Patriots in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Deonte Banks, Cordale Flott, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Andru Phillips
31
Arizona Cardinals
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) receives a pass to bring in a touchdown past Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (0) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas, Elijah Jones
30
Washington Commanders
Nov 14, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Jartavius Martin, Mike Sainristil, Michael Davis
29
Las Vegas Raiders
Oct 17, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson
28
Atlanta Falcons
Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) catches a touchdown pass behind Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Antonio Hamilton, Dee Alford
27
Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) tackles Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during the second half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Josiah Scott, Darius Rush, Ryan Watts
26
Los Angeles Chargers
Browns receiver Amari Cooper makes a catch as Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. defends on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Cleveland.
Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still
25
Minnesota Vikings
Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates his interception with safety Camryn Bynum (24) against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr.
24
Carolina Panthers
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) talks with umpire Tra Blake (33) during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
23
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) is introduced before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Antonio Johnson, Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones
22
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals corner back Cam Taylor-Britt (29) knocks a pass way from Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) in the second quarter of the NFL game between Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, Mike Hilton, Jalen Davis, Josh Newton
21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Tavierre Thomas, Christian Izien, Bryce Hall
20
Indianapolis Colts
Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Commanders running back J.D. McKissic (23) runs with the ball while Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Kenny Moore II, Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr.
19
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (21) celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Feb. 12, 2023.
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nic Jones, Ekow Boye-Doe
18
Houston Texans
Oct 30, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) on the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White makes a catch during drills at training camp.
Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Quentin Lake, Decobie Durant, Derion Kendrick
16
Denver Broncos
Cleveland Browns’ Anthony Schwartz can’t get to a deep ball as Denver Broncos’ Par Surtain II defends on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio, at FirstEnergy Stadium. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]
Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, Damarri Mathis, Kris Abrams-Draine
15
New England Patriots
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade
14
Baltimore Ravens
Dec 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) celebrates with teammates after defeating Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa
13
Green Bay Packers
Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) reacts in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine
12
San Francisco 49ers
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs past Charvarius Ward #7 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas, Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin
11
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) scores a touchdown after intercepting a pass thrown by New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (not pictured) in the second half. The Seahawks defeat the Giants, 24-3, at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford.
Devon Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Tre Brown, Artie Burns
10
Philadelphia Eagles
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean
9
Buffalo Bills
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy
8
New Orleans Saints
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (33) reacts after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Terrion Arnold, a cornerback from the University of Alabama, shows off his Detroit Lions jersey with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he was picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at the NFL draft theater in Detroit on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Emmanuel Moseley, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
5
Tennessee Titans
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, Chidobe Awuzie, Tre Avery, Eric Garror
4
Dallas Cowboys
Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) stands on the field during warmups prior to the Cowboys’ game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 01: Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns runs onto the field prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson, Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie
2
Miami Dolphins
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) reacts against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Cam Smith
1
New York Jets
Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) hits Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) after a catch during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Ahmad Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Brandin Echols
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