Cleveland Browns fans celebrate in the first half of Sunday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium, November 24, 2019. The Browns took a 28-3 lead into the locker room at halftime against the Miami Dolphins. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
The cornerback group last season was a position of strength for Cleveland Browns DC Jim Schwartz’s defense.
So, why would this room need another player? Well, an exceptional cornerback is always welcome on every NFL club’s roster.
Rookies are not seeing a ton of snaps over the last five years in the NFL
This group’s resident Pro Bowler is Denzel Ward. On the other side is M.J. Emerson who grabbed the starting outside corner gig in his rookie season and has Pro Bowl aspirations on his own. Also in the Browns defensive backfield is Greg Newsome, a former first-round draft pick. Last year, he either had a great year or a sub-par season depending on who you talk to.
Also on the roster is Cam Mitchell, a player that the coaching staff is very high on. Kahlef Hailassie was brought into the fold after the Kansas City Chiefs tried to slide him through waivers to which the Browns claimed him instead.
This off-season, there have been ripples that Cleveland would move Newsome who has been regulated to playing in the slot. If GM Andrew Berry did indeed trade Newsome, this group would need another player to fill his space. It appears the Browns will retain Newsome, but crazy things do happen on draft day.
Let’s take a good hard look at one prospect.
Max Melton is an intriguing cornerback prospect because the slot might be his best role and could take Newsome’s place. He does bring a lot of experience on the outside, though. Melton projects as a priority Day 3 pick with inside-outside versatility.
