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

By Nick Dudukovich

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

If Haden isn’t one of the top corners in the NFL, where does he stand?

JOE: If “top corner” means one of the best 4-5 corners in the league, I don’t see Haden there. That group includes Josh Norman, Darelle Revis, Richard Sherman, Aqib Talib, and Patrick Peterson. You can make the case that Chris Harris is in this group as well, but I’d put him at the top of the next tier, which would then include Joe Haden. In that group, you’ve got folks like Desmond Trufant, Tyrann Mathieu (when healthy), Jonathan Joseph, and Janoris Jenkins. Haden is just not quite the Pro Bowl level corner he once was. He may get back there if fully healthy, but I need to see it first.

KRIS: See, if he’s healthy I put Haden in the top 4-5 corners I the NFL. The guy is a two-time pro bowler. However, if you make the argument he’s not top 5, then Haden is indeed right in the thick of that next tier. Of all the “second-tier” guys Joe mentioned, a healthy Haden is right there at the top. If he’s not top 5 Haden is top 8 without a doubt.

JOE: Top eight might even be a little too generous. There are 10 other corners mentioned before and I don’t know if I can slot Haden as high as eighth. Trufant looks like the Falcons were dead on when they picked him in the first round a couple of years ago. Joseph has been steady and helped lead a resurgent Texans defense into the playoffs and Jenkins, much like Trufant, is only getting better. Haden, at best, beats out Tyrann Mathieu, but even then it’s six to one, half a dozen to the other.

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KRIS: I think we might be having one of those what have you done for me lately moments. We didn’t see much of Haden last year, and I think we forget how good he can be when he’s healthy. Haden was ranked as the 8th best Corner in 2013 by Pro Football Focus. NFL.com had him right behind Patrick Peterson that same season. Yes he had a so-so year in 2014 and downright horrendous year in 2015, but injuries had a lot to do with his decline. With the return of Ray Horton it’s possible Joe Haden could return to elite form. Horton was the defensive coordinator in 2013 when Haden had his best season. If Haden is healthy, it’s likely he won’t repeat his 2015 season, it’ll just be interesting to see where he can climb back up to on the ladder.

Next: Should Haden Be Viewed As A Tradable Asset?

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