The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with their rookie defensive back, Martin Emerson. His rookie deal has a total value of $5.75 million with a signing bonus of $1.36 million. The Browns didn’t have a pick in the 2022 draft until the 68th overall pick in the third round — mostly as a result of the Deshaun Watson trade — but they were eager to get Emerson on board as their first selection.
Emerson’s frame is what caught the eye of Browns’ coaching staff. This former Mississippi State cornerback stands 6-foot-2, weighing 201 pounds with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches. He’s taller than both of Cleveland’s starting outside corners, Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, and has weight on them both as well.
When asked about the nickel position, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “I think we have multiple guys who can fill that role and have filled that role. I think that’s why we talk about versatility. If you’re playing corner or you’re playing safety, you’re going to be trained to play in the slot or play our nickel position. I think we have multiple guys who can do that.”
So, the question we have with Emerson is where he fits. His size would immediately label him as a boundary corner, but his skillset and the defensive scheme might say otherwise. Let’s go to the film to see where Emerson fits best!
