The Cleveland Browns as a team did not have the season that they wished to have. Different components of the team, however, were really good. The offensive line continued to produce including two All-Pros, Myles Garrett continued to be his elite-level defensive end play and the team’s top rookies were so good they’d be redrafted much higher.
While we covered the data that offense, specifically passing offense, has been the primary way to make the Super Bowl, passing defense can help slow that down. The Browns have invested a lot in coverage. Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II were first round picks, Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit were second round picks, Ronnie Harrison was added in a trade and John Johnson III and Troy Hill were free agent additions.
Even the drafting of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was celebrated due to his coverage skills.
Ward and Newsome, in particular, were especially impressive in 2021 with their ability to play man coverage (called “single” in the tweet):
Highest graded CBs in single coverage.. (PFF)
1. Jalen Ramsey, 90.1
2. JC Jackson, 88.2
3. Denzel Ward, 85.2
4. AJ Terrell, 78.7
5. Greg Newsome, 73.6 pic.twitter.com/nP8ZwaP1te— Smart Football (@SmartfootbalI) February 9, 2022
Two of the top five in the league and the only pair of teammates. Interestingly the top player on the list, Jalen Ramsey, noted that he watches tape of Ward to help him be his best:
Jalen Ramsey listed all the CB's he still watches on tape and it's an interesting list:
Trevon Diggs
Xavien Howard
Marson Lattimore
Denzel Ward
Darius Slay
Kenny Moore
Tyrann MathieuHe said there was a few more but those were some of the guys off the top of his head.
— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) February 9, 2022
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods likes to run a versatile scheme with some man and some zone, leaning more toward zone coverage. With Ward and Newsome, Cleveland is well setup to play both coverages well. An contract extension for Ward could lock in the duo for years to come.
