Browns: 5 best defensive players halfway through the season

Nov 1, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Andrew Sendejo (23) and strong safety Karl Joseph (42) tackle Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Andrew Sendejo (23) and strong safety Karl Joseph (42) tackle Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

#2 – Denzel Ward

It’s not hard to predict the next two players on this list. Why is Denzel Ward number two? Because with many minor and lingering injuries, Ward was able to step up and return very much near to his rookie form in 2020. He’s made some mistakes in the coverage, namely against Pittsburgh, and in the first two weeks was out of position a lot against the opposition passing attack but besides those moments, Ward has played very well.

He might be a borderline Pro Bowler in 2020 as of right now, but the season is only halfway over, which means he could absolutely up his stock. Having an entire week off, plus another week to prepare for Houston will allow those minor injuries time to heal up and go away. Once Ward is unhindered by them, he should return to his All-Pro form that he was in in 2018, even if he didn’t make an All-Pro team.

He’s on pace to play all 16 games, a career first. He’s already tied each of his last two seasons in pass deflections with 11, and he leads the team in pass deflections as well, while coming in at number seventh in tackles as well with 30 total tackles.