Latest news with #DenzelWard
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Denzel Ward shares insights on player development at Browns training camp 'Inside Training Camp Live'
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward joins "Inside Training Camp Live" to discuss his takeaways from the progress being made by everyone around him at Browns training camp.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What cornerback is No. 2 behind Denzel Ward?
The Browns are closing in on training camp. The veteran report date in July 22, a day before the first full-squad workout. This position group series is also closing in on its conclusion just in time for the start of training camp. This time, it turns its attention to the cornerbacks. The Browns boast one of the best cornerbacks in the game in four-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. The question, really, is who's the second-best cornerback on the team — Greg Newsome II or Martin Emerson Jr. — because both are entering the final seasons of their contracts and it could turn into an either/or situation. For now, both are on the roster. It's time to take a look at them, as well as the other Browns cornerbacks. Cleveland Browns cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem Tony Brown II Martin Emerson Jr. Myles Harden LaMareon James* Dom Jones* Anthony Kendall Cameron Mitchell Greg Newsome II Denzel Ward (* — denotes rookie) Into the numbers: Cleveland Browns CBs Ward had a league-best 19 pass defensed a year ago, which can be viewed one of two ways. Obviously, it can be viewed that he was able to get his hands on plenty of passes. But the fact he only had two interceptions shows there were opportunities lost to create more turnovers for a defense that struggled mightily with them a year ago. It was also a big reason for the difference between just being a Pro Bowler and becoming an All-Pro selection. Newsome was credited with his fewest passes defensed (five) of his career in 2024. He did have an interception, giving him three for his career, all in the last two years. Emerson had a difficult third season after two really good ones to start his career. According to Pro Football Focus, the 2022 third-round pick allowed quarterbacks to complete 62.7% of the passes thrown at him, including six touchdowns. The previous high was 53.9% in his rookie season. Mitchell became a valuable member of the secondary over his first two seasons, in part because of the ease at which he can move inside to the slot or outside. In 2024, the former fifth-round pick had 197 snaps at slot corner, then another 128 wide. The latter number is the more notable one, as he had 203 snaps in the slot compared to 45 wide as a rookie. What they're saying: Cleveland Browns CBs Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Ward's ceiling, on June 4: "Denzel got his hands on a lot of passes last year, and we need to convert more of those to interceptions. And that's the difference between Pro Bowl and All-Pro — the game-changing plays. The PBU is big for us, but we need to get more of the INTs, and he's made a big push to convert those to INTs and we need that to the show on the field.' Ward on what he needs to do to turn the pass break-ups into interceptions, on June 11: "It's just getting reps on task. So coming out here and really just shifting my mindset. I know a lot of times I just try to go for the disruption, like my man's not going to catch the ball. But just focusing, getting two hands on the ball and going and taking it away. And then practicing on the JUGS catches and just keeping it in my mind." Newsome on coming off a disappointing season and going into contract season, on May 12: "Obviously last year wasn't, with me not being able to be there for training camp, I didn't have the season I wanted. I'm realistic, but I know the type of player I am and what I can get to and I'll be back to that level next year. We won't worry about the contract and stuff as the season progresses and as I prove that I'll be on the field with my team the entire season." Browns cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch on Emerson coming off disappointing season, on June 12: "Consistency. That's a very resilient player. He's a very resilient player that he holds himself accountable and his teammates hold him accountable. So for him to be here every single day … he's a come early, stay late guy. So the little bit of details that we talk about, he's really embodied them and he's another player when we say good, better, best, right? Yeah, he was good. He's getting better now. He's en route to put his best stuff on tape." Training camp analysis: Cleveland Browns CBs Ward could be close to a breakthrough to that All-Pro level that seems to have eluded him to this point. Emerson and Newsome, when they're at their best, give the Browns one of the best cornerback trios in the league. How much does both of them being in a contract year elevate their performance this season? It's a legitimate question. Mitchell has been more than serviceable as a young reserve, and Harden managed to get some run over the final four games last season after being a seventh-round pick. Brown, meanwhile, looks very much like his primary role will be on special teams. Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns 2025 camp position preview: Who's CB2 behind Denzel Ward
NBC Sports
23-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Denzel Ward: Browns can be best defense in the NFL, I can be Defensive Player of the Year
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward thinks he and his teammates can be the NFL's best this season. Ward said that after the Browns' defense had a down year in 2024, they believe they're going to be the top defense in football in 2025. 'That's our goal, to be the best defensive in the NFL, and we're going to get there. We're going to make it happen,' Ward said. And Ward said he believes he can win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. 'I think I'm capable. I'm definitely a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player,' Ward said. 'But I take things a day at a time. Awards and that stuff will come down the road. My focus is just to be the best I can each day.' Ward is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he's never received a single vote for Defensive Player of the Year. That kind of recognition would mean that he, and the Browns, have taken a major step forward.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Land Just 2 on NFL's Top 100 List
Browns Land Just 2 on NFL's Top 100 List originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the Cleveland Browns are in the process of a mini-rebuild, not all aspects of the roster are without value. The team continues to struggle finding a quarterback, and with four options this offseason, general manager Andrew Berry has given his team maybe its best chance in a while of landing a franchise player. But the defense is clearly the most successful unit in Cleveland, and that unit boasts two players on Pro Football & Sports Network's top 100 players ahead of the 2025 season. No. 5 Myles Garrett | EDGE "Myles Garrett's 2024 season was a clinic in pass-rushing dominance. The Cleveland Browns' All-Pro finished third in the league with 83 total pressures and ranked second among all defenders with a pressure rate of 17.4%. His relentlessness impacts the quarterback on nearly every play, even if it doesn't show up in the box score. In that regard, he is the Stephen Curry of the NFL in that the opponent's entire game plan revolves around him. Garrett's 14 sacks placed him fourth in the NFL and his 56 hurries were third-best. He added 13 quarterback hits and 35 defensive stops, impressive marks given the attention he had to beat in order to register those numbers. "Garrett recorded 40 solo tackles and forced three fumbles, while leading the NFL with 22 tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to disrupt both the passing and running games." No. 86 Denzel Ward | CB "Denzel Ward has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he's among the best at the cornerback position when he's on the field. He played a career-high 16 games last season, earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection. Ward faded down the stretch, but his season-long numbers still reflect a player who's among the best at the position. The Browns' corner led the NFL with 19 pass breakups while also recording two interceptions. "Ward was targeted 71 times in coverage, allowing a 53.5% catch rate (10th among CBs) and a 92.8 passer rating. His coverage skills, physicality, and playmaking ability make him a top-tier cornerback. He just needs to stay on the field." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Browns CB Denzel Ward earns acclaim from NFL personnel
As long-time Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward prepares to start his eighth NFL season, he still finds himself viewed as one of the NFL's very best. On Thursday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrapped up his annual positional top ten lists, compiled from polling the opinions of the league's coaches, executives, and scouts, and the final installment ranking the NFL's cornerbacks featured a pleasant surprise with Ward landing at No. 3. The high ranking is a strong endorsement for Ward, as he ranked only behind reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was given a record-setting extension in March. Even as the Browns' defense took a step back last season from the phenomenal highs the unit displayed in 2023, Ward maintained his usual high level of play and earned the fourth Pro Bowl selection of his career. Here is what one NFL defensive coach had to say about Ward: "Really good feet, smooth, comfortable with the ball in the air… he's been good for a long time. Has God-given talent that you can't really match." 2025 marks the sixth straight year that Ward has ranked within the top ten of Fowler's survey, a testament to how consistent the former fourth-overall pick has been for the Browns defense.
