Browns bring in cornerback Ward with 2nd pick of top 4

The Cleveland Browns have selected cornerback Denzel Ward out of Ohio State with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft after taking quarterback Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick.

While Ward has been the consensus top-rated cornerback in the draft, the pick comes as a surprise with edge rusher Bradley Chubb on the board, as well as quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Josh Allen being available if a team traded up for either.

Ward will be expected to step in as a starter from Day 1 with Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Jamar Taylor, and T.J. Carrie projected as the top-three group prior to the Ohio State product's selection.

Denzel Ward Bio

Position: CB
School: Ohio State
College Experience: Junior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 191 lbs

Strengths

• Exceptional straight-line speed and acceleration, allowing him to keep pace with the fastest receivers in college football.
• Outstanding recovery speed can bail him out of mistakes.
• Exceptional footwork allows him to match his opponent step-for-step.
• Makes sound initial reads and isn't baited easily on play action.
• Displays excellent lateral quickness and is able to readjust with precision.

Weaknesses

• Often relies on his speed to bail him out of slow reads and could get burnt at NFL level against quicker, more intelligent receivers.
• Struggles to disengage from receivers.
• Often gets caught chasing down his receiver and fails to turn around to locate the ball.
• Relatively undersized and will likely struggle against more physical receivers, especially if they win at the line of scrimmage.

Athletic testing