Spring Training Chatter: The Dery Brothers Tribecast
February 26, 2021Is this the End of the Indians’ Organizational Stability?
March 2, 2021The Cleveland Browns had their best season in several decades, finishing the regular season 11-5 and making the playoffs as a wild card team. Cleveland beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card but fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional round. It was an unbelievable first season for Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry. So, what went well and what needs to change this offseason? Over the next several weeks, I will take a look at each position, taking a look at their performance this season and then seeing what they need to do this offseason. The next position under the microscope is the cornerback unit.
Season Recap
The Browns cornerback position was a revolving door this season with so many injuries and corners coming in and out of the lineup. The group was not good. The unit only had four total interceptions with two corners creating those four interceptions. Only one cornerback, Terrance Mitchell, was able to play every single game this season and that was a huge factor in their poor play. The depth was tested and it failed this season.
There was a bright spot at the position: Denzel Ward was the best corner on the roster and player who held his own every time he took the field. In 12 regular-season games, he had 46 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, 18 passes defended, and two interceptions. He was pretty much the only consistent performer in the secondary this season. He continues to be the shining light in the secondary, although, his injury history is a bit concerning in that he has yet to play a full 16-game season. Nonetheless, Ward is a corner I am confident leaving on an island and covering players one-on-one.
Mitchell was the only corner to play every game this season. He posted 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and 13 passes defended during the regular season. Mitchell was thrust into the starting lineup from Day 1 of the regular season after Greedy Williams was not able to get healthy. Mitchell was consistent because he was available every game. His play was also pretty solid. He did have a tad up and down season, but overall he was a solid starter for the Browns. He was targeted quite often this season, finishing the season as the most targeted player on the roster. But, he only allowed 56% of the targets to be completed, according to Pro Football Focus. In the end, he was one of just two corners on the entire roster who was able to be trusted this season.
Kevin Johnson was supposed to be a key in the secondary as the team’s starting slot corner. In 13 regular-season games, he had 35 tackles, a half tackle for loss, half a sack, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. The offseason addition just did not have the season I expected. He was below average for the most part and never really was able to make a consistent mark on the field.
Tavierre Thomas, Robert Jackson, and M.J. Stewart were not expected to have big roles for the defense. But, the constant revolving door of the starting lineup, due to injuries, caused these three to play a lot more than they should have. All three are just not defenders who a defense should have to rely on to play well. But, that is what happened. These three are special teams contributors who should only be doing that duty. The Browns just didn’t have the depth to keep these guys in those roles. They were thrust onto the field and it did not go well overall.
Cleveland’s cornerback unit was constantly in flux. It was dealt a big blow early on when Greedy Williams got injured and never was able to get back on the field. It put Mitchell in the starting lineup and moved everyone else up one spot on the depth chart. That and the immense number of injuries to almost everyone in the unit caused a position to struggle to find consistency. It is a position in need of a huge upgrade this offseason.
Top Performer
Denzel Ward
Ward is by far the best corner on the roster and when he is not in the lineup, it shows. Ward is a complete cornerback with the ability to affect the run and pass game. He is not afraid to come up and make tackles. His mirroring skills are exceptional. He is a corner who the Browns can play in numerous schemes and feel comfortable putting him in numerous situations. Ward was and is a lone bright spot in a struggling secondary.
Position Grade: C-
Offseason To-Do List
1. Find a starting outside cornerback
The Browns need a starting outside cornerback. Mitchell was solid as a starter, but he should be more of a third outside cornerback rather than a starter. Cleveland needs to be aggressive to find a starter to go alongside Ward. If the Woods truly wants to run his kind of defense, then adding a talented starter at corner is a must. Free agency has a handful of good options. William Jackson, Shaquill Griffin, and Troy Hill are younger corners who could fit this mold. Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson are shorter-term options. Cleveland could also go to the trade market to find this corner. Marshon Lattimore of the Saints has been rumored to possibly be on the trading block. The Browns also could use their No. 26 pick to draft a starting outside corner, though a veteran free agent signing or trade target may be the better option given the need for a more sure thing.
2. Find a starting slot cornerback
Johnson was brought in to be the starting slot corner, but he was not good enough this past season. He is a free agent. I think the Browns should move past him and find an upgrade elsewhere. Luckily, the free-agent market is full of slot corners. Desmond King, Mike Hilton, and Brian Poole top the list of free agent slot corners. Cleveland also looks to the draft to find a slot corner. Those types of corners can usually be found in the early to middle rounds of the draft. Nonetheless, the Browns need to find a slot corner.
3. Re-sign Terrance Mitchell as a backup cornerback
I would like to bring Mitchell back at a reasonable backup salary. I think he would be a valuable fourth corner for the team. He is able to come in and start if needed and offer a production level that would not drop off a huge amount. The Browns cannot afford to have the depth problems they had this past season, so re-signing Mitchell to a few million dollars would be a wise investment in building the depth of the unit.
4. Do not rely on Greedy Williams to be in the plans
The Browns simply cannot bank on Williams being a contributor this season. His nerve injury issues are a serious problem and something that linger forever. Cleveland cannot go into the offseason thinking he is part of the depth chart and someone the team can rely on going forward. I hope he does come back and become the player I thought he could be coming out of LSU, but the Browns can’t go based on hope.
5. Start talking extension with Denzel Ward
Cleveland should start talking to Ward about a possible extension. I am comfortable with Cleveland beginning these talks now. They do not have to come to an agreement this offseason, but starting the dialogue would be a wise move. He is the future of the position and the Browns should look to extend him to be that player.