I am not sure what is going on, I am thinking ANALYTICS might be driving the bus. I think this is a REAL reach and DONT understand the pick or the reason for that selection. Drafting for NEEDS is something everyone does they just dont like to talk about needs. Well we need a good slot and a DE, OT and DT. WTF is with another CB???
Garbage pick. We have 30000 dbs on the team and not a single starting DT. I just don’t know what Berry is doing. Just when you think he knows what he’s doing he has a Millen draft. But instead of wr we are the db team
Other than depth, they might have seen something in him that fits a need? And I think Berry is very aware of the other team's needs, so he might have switched up to get this guy with another target falling.
Prospect Grade 5.80 Average Backup Or Special-Teamer
Overview
Long, finesse cornerback with traits and talent to compete in full-field, press-man coverage. Emerson has patient feet to maintain positioning against the release and uses length and positioning for catch disruptions. He's indecisive in his angles to the throw, missing out on interception opportunities. His run support issues will most certainly hurt his draft standing with some teams. Emerson isn't well-rounded but he has enough cover talent to make a team.
Strengths
Very good size and length. Patient but ready feet for press match. Uncoils relatively stiff punch to slow the release. Properly balanced between combination routes from zone. Closes and crowds when the route tracks deep. Quick to read and trigger when release kicks in. Easily opens hips and swings into transition. Punt and kick cover talent.
Weaknesses
Too content to bat it away instead of taking it away. Rarely charges aggressively into passing lane. Only one career interception. Below average at tracking and playing the ball. Not very competitive taking on blocks. Premature dives at ankles. Searches for arm-tackle opportunities.
It was more about the this draft is weak comment and acquiring more picks. Not a big deal. At this point, it's all just opinions and speculation. Passing on Ojabo and even Skyy Moore might come back to haunt us. Then, the Ravens got Jones. They kick our ass in the draft almost every year.
Not a big fan of the trade down or this pick that resulted from the trade down.
Not one little bit.
As it turned out out - some of the players I might have been ok with at #44 were available here ... but CB seems like a luxury pick this year, and CB seems like a bad choice vs some of the other choices available, even if this is really a Safety.
CB is maybe the last position I’d expect us to take haha
Berry has demonstrated he drafts ahead of the curve. Both Greedy and AJ Green have expiring contracts, and it is doubtful we can sign both of them. Enter Emerson.
I don't think so. I didn't get in to the part where he is a good player. It seems that every year 1-2 of our starting conners miss some time. He was probably our highest rated player on the board at that time. I mean, by conventional wisdom, corner wasn't a "need"
CB is maybe the last position I’d expect us to take haha
Berry has demonstrated he drafts ahead of the curve. Both Greedy and AJ Green have expiring contracts, and it is doubtful we can sign both of them. Enter Emerson.
I am not saying this in a mean way to anyone. However, if a team is drafting for a need, it would make more sense to draft a player who plays a position where you have an immediate need rather than drafting a player who might fit a future need. For example, we have needs at Edge, DT, and WR this year. Corner might be a need next year.
Who knows, Emerson might turn out to be a great player and Berry will look like a genius.
My guess is that this pick sets up a player-for-player trade of Greedy.
Berry values corners above basically position besides QB. This pick is about creating depth at an important position that sometimes has four players on the field at once.
I think this season he will see the field mostly on ST and as a safety.
Greedy and Hill are on the last year of their contract. Harrison is on a 1 year contract. None are likely on the roster next season. We won't be able to sign a lot of free agents next off season unless the NFL significantly increases the salary cap. Has Greedy done anything to warrant a 2nd contract? - he either signs a low contract or plays somewhere else next season.
Any chance we release Hill? I didn't do any analysis of his play last season but it seems as if he was either injured or getting flagged. How much of a cap savings would we get if we released him?
I think this season he will see the field mostly on ST and as a safety.
Greedy and Hill are on the last year of their contract. Harrison is on a 1 year contract. None are likely on the roster next season. We won't be able to sign a lot of free agents next off season unless the NFL significantly increases the salary cap. Has Greedy done anything to warrant a 2nd contract? - he either signs a low contract or plays somewhere else next season.
Any chance we release Hill? I didn't do any analysis of his play last season but it seems as if he was either injured or getting flagged. How much of a cap savings would we get if we released him?
$3,750,000 dead cap w/ years 2023, and 2024 being voided.
I think they got about what could be expected at that pick. He will never be an NFL cover corner on the edges. He lacks the speed. Those type of CB's are always gone well before this. As a slot corner he may work out. As has been said he could be converted to safety which seems to make the most sense to me. But given those parameters there were players available at positions of immediate need who had similar limitations. As with many I'm not a fan of the trade because I think they could have gotten a starter #44. But they got two more picks in the 4th and if they come away with the punter and kicker it may make this deal look better. I feel letting it all play out seems best.
I am not saying this in a mean way to anyone. However, if a team is drafting for a need, it would make more sense to draft a player who plays a position where you have an immediate need rather than drafting a player who might fit a future need. For example, we have needs at Edge, DT, and WR this year. Corner might be a need next year.
Who knows, Emerson might turn out to be a great player and Berry will look like a genius.
Right. And the guy may have been the highest on our board at that point..I wasn't suggesting it was a need pick for next year. I was pointing out the need slant for those who do think needs.
Has Greedy done anything to warrant a 2nd contract? - he either signs a low contract or plays somewhere else next season.
Has Greedy done anything to 'NOT' warrant a 2nd contract?
I hope he signs a regular contract and plays here next season. Keeping the team together has always been important. There is nothing wrong with Greedys' playing ability when healthy.
Other than Greedy being drafted by Dorsey, I don't get the hate for him. Dude has been injured and struggled at times, but he is a very good corner w/tremendous physical gifts and I believe will continue to progress. I hope the FO won't throw him out w/the trash just because they didn't draft him. That would be a mistake in my opinion.
Other than Greedy being drafted by Dorsey, I don't get the hate for him. Dude has been injured and struggled at times, but he is a very good corner w/tremendous physical gifts and I believe will continue to progress. I hope the FO won't throw him out w/the trash just because they didn't draft him. That would be a mistake in my opinion.
They've kept him around for two years now. They've also kept a bunch of other guys that Dorsey drafted or traded for and signed them to extensions (Ward, Chubb, Teller). I don't see why they would start purging Dorsey guys now.
Other than Greedy being drafted by Dorsey, I don't get the hate for him. Dude has been injured and struggled at times, but he is a very good corner w/tremendous physical gifts and I believe will continue to progress. I hope the FO won't throw him out w/the trash just because they didn't draft him. That would be a mistake in my opinion.
They've kept him around for two years now. They've also kept a bunch of other guys that Dorsey drafted or traded for and signed them to extensions (Ward, Chubb, Teller). I don't see why they would start purging Dorsey guys now.
You are correct. Maybe my subconscious was speaking to the fan's perspective. I actually really like the job Berry has done as a whole. And you are right that he has kept Dorsey's guys. Hell, you can include Hunt in that category. I probably misspoke.
Back to Greedy for a moment. I don't think he has lived up to his hype, but the guy has some things going for him that are hard to duplicate. I don't profess to know a damn thing about how much to pay him, but I would be reluctant to let him walk. I didn't like the pick at first because of his tackling issues in college, but that hasn't shown up in the pros. I think the injury thing in college had something to do w/those concerns. I sure as hell don't want to see him sign w/the Bengals or Steelers.
One last thing...........I like how you debated my post w/out resorting to insults or character assassination. We need more of this!!!
His measurables look a lot like Richard Sherman's. That's probably not who he is yet, but that's the aspiration. He's young and didn't have a Myles Garrett providing pressure for him at Mississippi State.
Hopefully we've finally got a staff that can develop players.
Yeah, he looks to be a zone coverage corner who won't be effective in man. We run a ton of Cover 3 and Quarters, so he may be a good fit. Hopefully, we don't change coaching staffs yet again.
Martin Emmerson the Cornerback in 30 seconds. ( TL- any CB in 30 seconds)
Fr. solo tackles 17, passes defenses 1, ratio= 17 lower is better. Soph. Solo tackles 44, passes defensed 11, ratio 4.0 (pretty good) Junior solo tackles 31, passes defensed 3, ratio 10.3 (17, 4.0, and 10.3, I don't remember any so raising and lowering like that)
Wildly inconsistent.
Sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, touchdowns, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, and interception return yards all tell their own stories, but.
( And if you sit at a table and someone serves you a piece of chocolate cake, it doesn't take you more than 30 seconds to decide if that is any good.) Look too long and begin to lose the big picture.
(based on the theory that any bad corner being picked on by Qbs' has a ton of solo tackles where he watches the offense make a catch and then walks the player out of bounds.)
However, right now I not sure how the Browns will use him.
I could be wrong but IMO Greedy, Ward, and Newsome are boundry corners who can play press man.
I see Emerson in the slot playing physical jam press man. His 10 yard split was 1.52's. That is pretty good 74% .
He can use his physicality and size to jam slot receivers at the line. This will keep him in the area of the field where he will not be responsible for vertical routes against X receivers.
I don't believe the Browns will use him as boundary corner. After they drafted him they traded Troy Hill.
So, as with the other picks like Wright it is about scheme fit.
However, right now I not sure how the Browns will use him.
I could be wrong but IMO Greedy, Ward, and Newsome are boundry corners who can play press man.
I see Emerson in the slot playing physical jam press man. His 10 yard split was 1.52's. That is pretty good 74% .
He can use his physicality and size to jam slot receivers at the line. This will keep him in the area of the field where he will not be responsible for vertical routes against X receivers.
I don't believe the Browns will use him as boundary corner. After they drafted him they traded Troy Hill.
So, as with the other picks like Wright it is about scheme fit.
I just don't see him having good enough closing speed to cover the slot ... and I hope he proves me wrong.
However, right now I not sure how the Browns will use him.
I could be wrong but IMO Greedy, Ward, and Newsome are boundry corners who can play press man.
I see Emerson in the slot playing physical jam press man. His 10 yard split was 1.52's. That is pretty good 74% .
He can use his physicality and size to jam slot receivers at the line. This will keep him in the area of the field where he will not be responsible for vertical routes against X receivers.
I don't believe the Browns will use him as boundary corner. After they drafted him they traded Troy Hill.
So, as with the other picks like Wright it is about scheme fit.
I just don't see him having good enough closing speed to cover the slot ... and I hope he proves me wrong.
I would think they bump Newsome inside when they go to three or more corners. Of course, I could be dead wrong.
However, right now I not sure how the Browns will use him.
I could be wrong but IMO Greedy, Ward, and Newsome are boundry corners who can play press man.
I see Emerson in the slot playing physical jam press man. His 10 yard split was 1.52's. That is pretty good 74% .
He can use his physicality and size to jam slot receivers at the line. This will keep him in the area of the field where he will not be responsible for vertical routes against X receivers.
I don't believe the Browns will use him as boundary corner. After they drafted him they traded Troy Hill.
So, as with the other picks like Wright it is about scheme fit.
I just don't see him having good enough closing speed to cover the slot ... and I hope he proves me wrong.
I would think they bump Newsome inside when they go to three or more corners. Of course, I could be dead wrong.
Yes, that seems to be the plan, but now we become weaker on the outside, which is why I don't care for that scenario very much.
... Ballpeen, Emmerson can only replace Greedy or AJ by contract if it turns out Emmerson can play any where near the level of Greedy or AJ Green. And they are cornerbacks. The Browns spend the most guaranteed money on a Qb ever, but they don't have any money to keep a cornerback that is ok (average) on an NFL level.
... Ballpeen, Emmerson can only replace Greedy or AJ by contract if it turns out Emmerson can play any where near the level of Greedy or AJ Green. And they are cornerbacks. The Browns spend the most guaranteed money on a Qb ever, but they don't have any money to keep a cornerback that is ok (average) on an NFL level.
Just a comment on Emerson. In many of the scouting reports it said that safety would be his ideal position. Possibly that is the progression for this kid.
Just a comment on Emerson. In many of the scouting reports it said that safety would be his ideal position. Possibly that is the progression for this kid.
... Ballpeen, Emmerson can only replace Greedy or AJ by contract if it turns out Emmerson can play any where near the level of Greedy or AJ Green. And they are cornerbacks. The Browns spend the most guaranteed money on a Qb ever, but they don't have any money to keep a cornerback that is ok (average) on an NFL level.
Nope, we didn't just sign Ward to the highest CB contract ever. And Greedy, to me, isn't much more than average, especially given his injury history. So we should always be looking for upgrades.
I don't like this pick, seems to be a bigger guy that is too slow, elite receiving talent will torch him Maybe they thought his run stopping ability is very good? idk?
Reading the Browns take, this guy is special in coverage, could be great. Reading everything I could find originating pre draft on him and he looks like a backup at best.
57% completion as an outside corner isn't particularly good, but they did line him up off alot. I'd be interested to see what his numbers were in more of a press-man coverage.
Browns rookie cornerback Martin Emerson brings size, physicality to the position
By Dan Labbe, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns rookie cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. made his presence felt early in rookie minicamp.
“Were you guys paying attention to the first drill?” head coach Kevin Stefanski asked the assembled media following practice on a muggy day. “He put one of our coaches on his butt.”
The reactions to the play echoed through the practice fields, filled with rookies this weekend -- draft picks like Emerson, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
Emerson ended up as the Browns’ first draft choice of this class, chosen No. 68 after a trade down from No. 44, a somewhat surprising selection considering cornerback wasn’t at the front of most people’s minds for the organization. Pre-draft projections had Emerson’s potential selection ranging from the third round down to the fifth.
No one, however, should be surprised the Browns were interested in a 6-foot-2, 201-pound SEC product, a 21 year old with three full seasons of college experience who struggled when asked on Friday to narrow down the list of the best receivers he went against during his Mississippi State days.
“(Jameson) Williams, Alabama; (Treylon) Burks from Arkansas; (George) Pickens from Georgia,” he said during a press conference on Friday before taking the practice field. “There’s a lot of guys, I could keep going on, really.”
Those are three receivers who were drafted this year, two in the first round and the other, in Pickens, with first-round talent but an injury history and maturity concerns that dropped him to Pittsburgh late in Round 2.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II, a sixth-round pick, has gone against Emerson, too. It happened on October 3, 2020 when Woods, then with Arkansas, faced his future teammate.
“He’s just a bigger dude. He’s long, physical,” Woods said. “I think he’ll be really good, especially against bigger receivers because he’s long and really matches up well against them.”
The length is what’s intriguing about Emerson. You can see it during a press conference or when he’s on the field running through drills. His arms measured 33 1/2 inches during the combine, same as Jets first-round pick Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and easily at the top end of defensive backs. Good luck finding much more length than what Emerson has at corner.
“Length with corners especially, it allows you at the line of scrimmage to really deter the release of the receiver,” Stefanski said. “As receivers, they want off. They want the ability to sell the go-route and come off the ball. When you are somebody like Martin, they are going to work at the line of scrimmage versus you, but even if they gain six inches, you have maybe 33 inches to go with your length to make them get around you and get you off your precision-timing game.”
“Being a bigger guy, getting my hands on them, can help disrupt routes and disrupt timing,” Emerson said. “So it helps a lot.”
Emerson is built differently from the Browns’ top two cornerbacks. Denzel Ward measured 5-11 at his combine with 31 1/4″ arms. Greg Newsome II came in at 6-0 with 31 1/8″ arms. Greedy Williams, who Emerson will likely compete against for the third corner spot, measured 6-2 and profiles closest to Emerson, only with less freakish 31 1/2″ arms.
With Emerson’s size also comes the responsibility to play a physical style, something he isn’t afraid to do.
“Trying to be (more) physical than my opponent, just trying to make plays while I can,” he said.
One thing Emerson didn’t do much in college was intercept the ball. He had one during his entire college career as a freshman in 2019. Some of it is opportunity. He was targeted just 50 times in 2021, but he remembers the plays he could have made.
“I know there’s plays out there that I didn’t get the ball back when I should have,” he said. “So I always try to be hard on myself anyway, it’s only going to make me better.”
He said there were two he could have had last season.
“Well, three really, because I caught one but it was 12 men on the field,” he said, correcting himself. “Someone (got caught) walking off the field. Make sure I tell everybody, ‘Make sure you hustle off the field.’”
It’s unclear if Emerson will man the nickel spot vacated by the draft weekend trade of Troy Hill or if he could be the third outside cornerback, allowing Newsome to move inside when teams go to three or more wide receivers. According to data from Pro Football Focus, Newsome played 102 snaps in the slot his rookie season, including a combined 69 snaps in Weeks 17 and 18.
“I think we have multiple guys who can fill that role and have filled that role in there,” Stefanski said of the team’s plans for inside corner. “I think that is why we talk about versatility. If you are playing corner or if you are playing safety, you are going to be trained to play in the slot and play our nickel position. I think we have multiple guys who can do that.”
Where Emerson plays will be determined later. The Browns picked him because they saw the potential his size brings to an already strong secondary.