Cleveland’s defensive line has been getting a ton of praise that they have more than earned but it has overshadowed how good their coverage unit has been behind them. Martin Emerson Jr. has not had a sophomore slump for the Browns has taken a major step forward and has been dominant in man coverage. After a down season last year, Denzel Ward has returned to the top 10 form that earned him the contract extension he is currently playing on.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has been able to get more creative with pressure packages knowing he can leave Emerson Jr. and Ward on an island behind it.
Another player that can flourish in man coverage his defensive run support this year has grabbed my attention as it jumps off the tape. Having Ward opposite Emerson and Greg Newsome II is the best cornerback trio in the NFL right now.
Then you look at the Swiss army knife for this defense that is Grant Delpit who has played all over the field. Delpit can play all over the field and do so well at multiple positions he’s great in coverage and even better in run defense. He has a quick trigger and the speed to crash downhill against the run or underneath pass to make the play. Delpit currently has 29 stop tackles from the safety position, which is insane.
since the stat was created in 1999, @denzelward has become the FIRST and ONLY player to have at least 10 passes defensed & two interceptions in each of his first six seasons pic.twitter.com/qHGdNOPDMZ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 22, 2023
Martin Emerson Jr – 30.8 passer rating allowed in single coverage this season
4th best in the NFL 😤 pic.twitter.com/cBRMpPMY2M
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) November 22, 2023
Stop Rate* for DBs with ≥ 400 snaps, per PFF:
1. Brian Branch (5.52%)
2. Grant Delpit (5.26%)
3. Jaquan Brisker (3.77%)
4. Trent McDuffie (3.65%)
5. Taron Johnson (3.65%)Branch is such a difficult blocking assignment for a WR
*Stop = tackle that results in unsuccessful play pic.twitter.com/Dc5iJMeB4S
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) November 21, 2023
