Browns: 5 best defensive players through 12 games

Denzel Ward

Injuries have been Denzel Ward’s biggest issue since entering the league. He’s already missed seven games in his first three years, something that has been affecting the team’s defense over the years. Maybe none more so than this year, where the Browns are down any real effective backup at corner. Not just that, but the Browns’ don’t even have a second starter to help out Ward when he is healthy. When he isn’t, the corners are picked on like the nerdy kid in seventh grade.

Ward’s been a beast though, even though he’s been dealing with injuries all year. While he’s only missed a handful of games, he’s been dealing with nagging injuries the whole year. Despite that, he’s been putting in the work and playing very well. He has 15 pass deflections so far in 2020 and in his last game against the Eagles, had a whopping four.

He’s also forced three turnovers, with two interceptions and one forced fumble. He’s not just a good cover guy, he’s a good tackler. He doesn’t let people go when he makes contact. He’s a true blue shutdown corner like that.

Ward would be so much better if he had a corner-mate on the other side of him. As mentioned before, the addition of Ronnie Harrison really helped Andrew Sendejo, and if Ward had another cornerback who was worth a darn, this secondary would be top-notch. Ward needs to get healthy and then he needs a running mate who can help him out.