Is Cleveland Browns’ Joe Haden Still A 1st-Tier Corner?

Cleveland Browns corner Joe Haden is one of the most celebrated athletes in the city. Prior to 2015, Haden was thought of as one of the better defensive backs in the game. But after a dismal year largely stunted by injury, Factory of Sadness writers Joe Russo and Kristopher Grimes debate Haden’s status as one of the game’s best corners.

Is Hue Jackson right that Joe Haden is one of the top corners in the NFL?

JOE: I’m a big fan of Joe Haden and Hue Jackson, but the new head ball coach is far more confident in Haden than I am. While Joe Haden is still a very good corner when healthy, I don’t think he was ever one of the top corners in the league. For all of the times that Haden looked good, most notably against AJ Green, he looked dreadful against others.

Last year, the Cardinals game brought out the worst in Haden. He was not just bullied by larger receivers, but also beat deep frequently. Haden should be among the better corners in the league, but he just isn’t as good as Hue Jackson wants him to be.

KRIS: If completely healthy, Hue Jackson is right to believe that Joe Haden is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He may not be putting receivers on the proverbial “Island,” like Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets, but he’s also playing on a worse defense. His numbers at times are merely indicative of whether or not his teammates did their part. Revis himself struggled in Tampa Bay after leaving the Jets. So when I look at Haden, it’s not about putting players on an island, it’s whether not he makes his team better. The Browns are a better team with him at corner just like the Jets are with Revis, the Seahawks are with Richard Sherman, and the Broncos are with Aqib Talib. He may take more gambles, get beat deep on a few plays, or even get bullied by larger receivers, but Haden will always fight. That in and of itself makes him one of the best.

JOE: I’ll concede Haden’s supporting cast has not exactly been great the last few seasons and there is a very strong correlation between the quality of his play and the quality of the rest of the defense. No argument there. But simply because he always tries hard doesn’t make him a top corner. I think Jordan Poyer tried hard. I think Tank Carder tried hard. Neither of those guys, though, were really any good. It does make me wonder if the Browns will need to prop Joe Haden up with a better cast instead of building a defense with him at the core.

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KRIS: I guess I should clarify my statement. It’s not just about Haden trying hard, it’s that he is a very good corner who has the talent to be the best. The effort he puts into trying to be the best combined with his natural talent is what differentiates him from a Jordan Poyer or Tank Carder. Think LeBron James vs Jamario Moon. That said, I do agree Joe, the Browns shouldn’t rely on Haden being the cornerstone of their defense going forward. He is still one of the best corners if he’s healthy, but the injuries are a concern. He’s also not going to change a game on his own. Not in today’s NFL where passing the football is more prevalent than ever. Haden is a top corner, but he’s only as good as the team around him. If no one is pressuring the opposing offense, QB’s and Wideouts will find open spots in the defense. Not even Sherman, Peterson, or Revis in his prime could thrive with the defense the Browns have put on the field in recent years.

Next: What Equates Success For Haden In 2016?