Deconstructing the construction of the 2016 Cleveland Indians: Between Innings
July 26, 2016A talk with the Cleveland Indians personal portrait artist: Between Innings
July 28, 2016Unlike many of the units on the 2016 Cleveland Browns, not much is different in terms of the Browns cornerback situation. The starters are the same with just a few changes at the backend of the depth chart.
On the roster, Joe Haden, K’Waun Williams, Tramon Williams, Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir, Jamar Taylor, Charles Gaines, Trey Caldwell, Mikell Everette, Tracy Howard and Eric Patterson make up the cornerback unit. So let’s take a look the cornerback position for the Browns and see what the team will put on the field in 2016.
2016 Browns Preview Series: Safeties, Cornerbacks
Key Additions: Jamar Taylor and Trey Caldwell
Key Losses: Johnson Bademosi
Expected Starters: Joe Haden, K’Waun Williams and Tramon Williams
The Browns will be going into 2016 with the same starting lineup at cornerback as they did in 2015. Haden and T. Williams will most likely start at the outside cornerback spots, while K. Williams will most likely start at the slot corner spot. In 2015, though, the starting unit suffered injuries forcing the unit to start multiple players throughout the season. In just five games last season, Joe Haden notched 22 tackles and two passes defended. In 15 games last season, Tramon Williams posted 69 tackles, 10 passes defended and one interception. And, in 13 games last year, K’Waun Williams had 39 tackles, three forced fumbles and two passes defended. It was rare for all three players to see the field at the same time in 2015.
Joe Haden, the team’s No. 1 cornerback, had a season to forget last year. He faced a variety of injuries last season, allowing him to only play in five games. In those five games, he struggled by getting beat for big plays, never really showing his best level performance. Now, entering his seventh season this coming year, he is recovering from ankle surgery that could inhibit his ability to play Week 1. When he does come back, he needs to be better than what he showed last season. Haden has the ability to be the team’s shutdown corner, taking on the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receiver. He is an athletic player with good physicality to play against bigger competition. He is the key to the unit and the entire secondary.
Tramon Williams is the elder statesman of the unit, entering his tenth season in the NFL. He was a solid player last season, but when he was thrown into the No. 1 corner spot with Haden’s absence, which was too much for him to handle. At this stage of his career, Williams is not able to be the player who can cover the opposing team’s best receiver. He is far better as the compliment corner alongside a No. 1 corner.
K’Waun Williams is a young corner, entering his third season, who is best suited in the slot. He lacks size, but he has the quickness to match the quicker slot receivers of the NFL. He, like Haden, has suffered injuries that hurt his play and consistency. The Williams duo is a good pair, but they need to be utilized correctly and not forced into a higher stress level spot.
The Browns starting cornerback’s group number one key is to stay healthy and remain on the field. The talent is there for all of them, but health is a major question. Haden and K. Williams have been injury-prone, while Tramon Williams is getting up there in age. When healthy, the starting cornerback group is the best starting group of the entire defense. It has a Pro Bowl level player in Haden, along with two great complements who can also be highly productive. Health is the key because it allows the players to play with consistency.
Possible Contributors: Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir, Jamar Taylor and Charles Gaines
The Browns depth is probably its best asset. Behind the starting trio, the Browns could have Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir, Jamar Taylor and Charles Gaines contribute on the field in some capacity. In nine games last season, Justin Gilbert notched 10 tackles and one pass defended. In 14 games last year, Pierre Desir posted 37 tackles and passes defended. With the Dolphins in 12 games last season, Jamar Taylor had 48 tackles and four passes defended. And in six games last year, Charles Gaines notched 15 tackles, one forced fumble and two passes defended. It is a young group with a lot of talent, but also a lot of inconsistent play.
Entering his third season, Justin Gilbert has been a flat out bust. The former first-round pick has done nothing much except on special teams. Gilbert is a highly athletic, tall cornerback who has produced more news off the field. But, this offseason there seems to be more hope with him, given the quiet offseason and the changing coaching. If Hue Jackson and Ray Horton Jr. can get Gilbert to play to his potential, he could be a huge game-changer for the Browns secondary. But, the young corner has a lot to improve, especially with his technique and mental aspect of the game. Also, he will contribute as a returner on special teams. But, this season is his last chance at remaining with the Browns and showing any hope as a cornerback.
Pierre Desir, entering his third season, was inconsistent in 2015 in large part to inconsistent playing time. He showed spots of bright plays, but then would be stuck on the sideline watching the likes of lesser level players on the field. The corner has the athletic ability and size that coaches dream about in their corners. He just needs more playing time and experience, because to my eye, he has the talent to be a starting corner. Consistency is the key.
Jamar Taylor was acquired during the draft from the Miami Dolphins. He is entering his fourth season in the NFL, hoping new scenery will turn around his career. The former second rounder had high expectations coming the NFL, but has just not lived up to these expectations. After losing favor in Miami, Taylor was traded to Cleveland. He is a good athlete with quickness, but his technique and health are holding him back. The Browns are hoping they can develop him and get a steal to improve their cornerback unit.
Charles Gaines is entering his second season, coming off an up and down rookie season. Gaines really raised expectations during the preseason with really good play, but the season was a different story with inconsistent performances. He is an athletic player, who definitely can match athleticism with almost any receiver. Gaines needs time and development.
The four players listed above will be fighting for playing time and competition breeds better play. Obviously, without injuries, four backup corners are not all going to contribute on a consistent basis. Two or three might be able to get snaps on a consistent basis. But, as I noted earlier, the injury history of the starters will most likely allow the Browns to hold seven corners and give these four opportunities. The battle between these players for the most playing time will be one to watch.
Biggest Strength: Depth
As you can see above, the Browns biggest strength at the cornerback position is its depth. The Browns boast a group with a good mix of veterans and youth. The starting group is made up of two veterans and one young promising player. The backup group is filled with youth and potential. This gives the position a lot of interesting options to play with. If the youth in the backup group can develop, the position could be even better than it already is. Especially with the questionable health status of the starting unit, the Browns depth is a huge asset. An injury or two will not completely blow up the position and kill the success of the secondary. Depth is important on defense, especially at the cornerback position with the pass-heavy NFL climate.
Biggest Weakness: Health
The Browns health at the cornerback position is a huge question mark. Joe Haden is coming into the season recovering from ankle surgery. Tramon Williams is getting up there in age at 33 years old. K’Waun Williams has struggled with injuries throughout his first two seasons in the NFL. So, the starting group is all but certain to play every game of the 2016 NFL. The health of the unit will be one of the biggest keys of the success of the position. A healthy season will allow the players to play in their rightful spot and not be forced into a position they are not suited for, like last season caused.
Key Player: Joe Haden
Joe Haden is the obvious key to the cornerback unit. His ability to stay healthy and play to his highest level will solidify the rest of the unit. It allows the rest of the group to play in their right spot and not have to do too much. Haden had a forgetful season in 2015, suffering multiple injuries and playing at a lowered level. The former first rounder has the talent to be a shutdown corner who can take on the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver. But, he can suffer from inconsistent play at times and not always be the shutdown type. If he can play like a shutdown corner, the defense and secondary will greatly helped.
Overall Opinion:
The Browns cornerback position is the best position on the defense. The team has a good starting unit, along with young depth to play behind the starters. But, health will be the key because it will give consistency to the players and allow continuity to form in the unit. If healthy, I think this group can really be a saving grace for a defense who struggles getting to the quarterback. The corners can stay close in coverage, allowing more time for the front seven to get pressure on the backfield. Joe Haden must be better than last season and return to his Pro Bowl level performance to really make this group a really good one. Having a good cornerback unit is a huge key to success of a defense.
I really like this group. The starting group, when healthy, is a good one with a star level talent leading the way in Joe Haden. But, the best thing I like about this group is its youth in his depth chart. The players behind the starters all have a lot of promising talent and upside. This could really be a huge asset for the defense. If the coaches can develop its young corners, it could produce even more starting level talent and make it one of the best groups in the league. But, health and development will be immensely important to the success of this position.