Ranking and grading every defensive back on the Cleveland Browns ahead of training camp

Positional Grades

Losing M.J. Stewart and Troy Hill really affected this team as far as perception goes. They were two of the better players on the team, and even if you were all-in on rookie Martin Emerson, keeping Hill would’ve and could’ve given you depth at safety.

This is why it’s so important to have depth at positions because while the top three corners are very good, the rest of the entire secondary is very weak. Considering the injury history between Greedy Williams and Denzel Ward, the minute one of them goes down the entire secondary will be exposed.

You can’t just expect guys to step up, because that’s rarely how it works. We don’t know what Emerson can be, and fans truly don’t factor in how impossible it is to predict how a rookie will adapt to the pro game. If Emerson takes to the coaching well, he could be great, if he doesn’t, we’re really going to be hurting.

There’s a reason why a guy as good as Denzel Ward is so hard to find, so expecting Emerson to be able to fill his shoes, or Williams’ for that matter, is unrealistic. That’s why the depth and consistency of a veteran like Hill were so important.

Stewart was the best safety on the Browns last year and Andrew Berry let him go because he didn’t draft him. That’s the only explanation I have as to why the Browns didn’t pursue someone who had such a good year in their system.

Safeties: C+

Corners: B+

Secondary: B-