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Browns options for replacing injured CB Denzel Ward

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/lists/browns-options-for-replacing-injured-cb-denzel-ward/


Already down one projected starting cornerback for the entire 2020 season, the Cleveland Browns must now scramble to replace the other starter. And with Denzel Ward now out for at least a couple of games, the Browns find themselves in need of filling a chasmic hole without its top player in the secondary.

Ward is not only the Browns best cover man and playmaker at cornerback, he’s one of the best in the entire NFL. Replacing him will not be simple. The Browns do have some options borne out of necessity, however.

Here are some ideas for how the Browns can replace Ward at the outside CB spot opposite Terrance Mitchell for a few weeks.

Kevin Johnson

Johnson will certainly play a primary role in replacing Ward. The question is, where?

The veteran has been the Browns’ primary slot/nickel corner all season. He hasn’t exactly been great, surrendering 20 completions on 25 targets and allowing a QB Rating against of 96.3, per Pro Football Focus.

However, Johnson is at his best playing inside. Keeping him in the slot would allow one less moving part in the mechanics of the secondary, one that struggles to work well together even when Ward is playing his Pro Bowl best outside. Johnson is the best slot option on the team and probably should stay there.

Tavierre Thomas

Thomas was the proverbial “next man up” earlier this season when Johnson was out or slowed with injuries. Like Johnson, Thomas played almost exclusively in the slot.

The best way to lay out the case for, or rather against, Thomas playing more is that he hasn’t played a single snap on defense since Week 4. He was consistently a step late in coverage and doesn’t have the fluid athleticism needed to hang with most receivers inside. PFF pegged Thomas for giving up 19 receptions on 22 targets and a QB Rating allowed of 112.1.

Playing outside could be a better option. Thomas is physical and one of the best tacklers on the team.

M.J. Stewart

Stewart has barely played for the Browns this year, his first in Cleveland. He’s logged just four snaps over three games since a rough outing against Dallas in Week 4, when he gave up two easy completions and missed a tackle.

He too has primarily been a slot corner. If the choice is to play Johnson outside, Stewart in the slot becomes a more likely option. Stewart just doesn’t have the speed or acceleration to hang with the faster options on the outside.

A.J. Green

The prized member of the Browns’ undrafted rookie class of 2020, Green has yet to make a dent in Cleveland. He’s been on the practice squad all year, seeing exactly one snap when elevated to play in Week 3.

Green should be at least in line for an elevation this week. At 6-1 with lanky arms, he’s the longest CB on the roster. If the Browns are looking to get him some game action to see what they’ve got in the rookie from Oklahoma State, Jacksonville is about as optimal of a place to make a more substantial debut as possible. In college and during the Senior Bowl week, Green was at his best in tight press-man, which isn’t something the Browns do a lot

Robert Jackson

Jackson has yet to play a defensive rep in 2020 and saw the field for just one snap in 2019 on defense. The hirsute corner makes his living on special teams.

Jackson has size and some hitting ability that are more in line with a safety than a cornerback. In fact, he played safety in high school and college before transitioning to outside cornerback at the end of his UNLV career. Jackson struggled in the 2019 preseason with holding and grabbing.

So what do you all think the deal is with the D-line (and really front 7) having their best overall game last week without Garrett?

Coincidental and just a function of the weather.
Also, Garrett is just THAT fast. On some of those sacks, while the guys that got the sacks got them, if Garrett was in there, he likely just would have been there first.

Hospital Ward at it again I see.

Have Ward or Garrett ever played a full season?

Have Ward or Garrett ever played a full season?

Just thinking out loud..

IF Greedy has a debilitating nerve injury that cannot be resolved (and honestly, we don't know what the problem is) wouldnt we have already granted him outright injury settlement and release?

Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.

The honor comes after Vernon posted three sacks, including one that resulted in a safety, of quarterback Carson Wentz in Cleveland’s 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

I'm not saying this is what you are doing - but I get really irked by fans who use injuries in a way to try and belittle or demean players. Someone did it the other day saying Ward misses games every 2 or 3 games he plays.... the stats show he has played something like 90-100% of defensive snaps in all but one game this year. I mean look at Haden - he had a couple plagued seasons with the Browns and we dumped him and since he's been playing well for the Steelers ever since.

How difficult was that surgery and what was the recovery like?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

Disagreee WATER.

With our starting secondary and Wilson and Jacobs growing into their roles, we could be respectable on D. I personally would seriously consider trading up for Micah Parsons in the draft, depending on how far he falls, and adding a couple plus-level DL pieces. With those moves, the D could make a HUGE leap next year.

That's what my crystal Ball is telling me.