The Browns are about a week and a half away from the start of training camp, which will kick off with their trip to The Greenbrier. To prepare for training camp, we're putting together a preview of each position on the roster. Let's take a look at the cornerbacks as the next part of the series.
The Cornerbacks:
Tony Brown
Martin Emerson Jr.
Dyshawn Gales
Kahlef Hailassie
Justin Hardee Sr.
Myles Harden
Cameron Mitchell
Greg Newsome II
Denzel Ward
What we know: The Browns have a solid level of depth to their cornerback room, starting with the veteran presence of Ward and Newsome, as well as with the leap that Emerson took in his second season with Cleveland. The corners played an integral role in the success of the Browns defense throughout the 2023 season – Emerson led the team with four interceptions and tied with Newsome to lead the team with 14 passes defensed, while Ward recorded 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.
They also added depth during free agency, bringing in Brown and Hardee who can play different roles for their secondary and special teams. Brown was a key contributor on special teams for the Colts in 2022 and 2023, while Hardee has played an important piece in kick and punt return coverage over his career.
As a collective defense and specifically in the secondary, the Browns are looking to build off their success during the 2023 season and having one of the best defenses in the NFL.
The biggest question: What will Harden's role be among the other corners in the room? The Browns drafted Harden in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he will have to prove his place as a rookie in the cornerback room.
When Harden was at South Dakota, he found ways to contribute each of his four seasons. He led the team in pass breakups in 2023 and started all 13 games, while in 2022 he led his team with three interceptions and four forced fumbles.
With the depth of the room, though, Harden will have to work to showcase what he can add to the secondary and contribute to the unit. During rookie minicamp and the offseason program, Harden took reps return coverage, so he also could carve a role for himself in special teams.
The Browns have a solid level of depth to their cornerback room, starting with the veteran presence of Ward and Newsome, as well as with the leap that Emerson took in his second season with Cleveland. The corners played an integral role in the success of the Browns defense throughout the 2023 season – Emerson led the team with four interceptions and tied with Newsome to lead the team with 14 passes defensed, while Ward recorded 11 passes defensed and forced two interceptions.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) after a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) before a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on October 29, 2023 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 20-24.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-17.
Cornerback Dyshawn Gales (49) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks on October 29, 2023 at Lumen Field. The Browns lost 20-24.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams on December 3, 2023 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 19-36.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Cornerback Dyshawn Gales (49) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on October 15, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 19-17.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Cornerback Dyshawn Gales (49) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31 - 27.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during OTA 10 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 6, 2024.
Cornerback Dyshawn Gales (49) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) before a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a workout on the second day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 11, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during OTA 10 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 6, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL Wild Card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on January 13, 2024 at NRG Stadium. The Browns lost 14-45.
The X-Factor: Ward. He is entering his seventh season with the Browns but continues to play an essential role among the cornerbacks with his on-field success and his veteran leadership to the unit. He had another standout season in 2023, in which he became the first player since 1999 to have at least 10 passes defensed and two interceptions in each of his first six seasons. He was also selected to his third career Pro Bowl, joining Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon as the only Browns corners to make at least three trips to the Pro Bowl. Ward's success not only from a leadership standpoint but also on the field will play an important role in the overall success of the Browns secondary.
The biggest number: 14. The cornerback room had two players tie for the team lead of 14 passes defensed in Emerson and Newsome. The effectiveness of the unit in pass breakups and covering opposing team's pass catchers has a significant impact on the Browns defense as a whole.
Says it all: "In our culture, we hold our best players the most accountable, and (Denzel Ward's) obviously one of our best players. But when you look at everything that he means to not just our offense, our special teams, but our defense, when your best player is the hardest worker in the room. He comes in early. He stays late. He's studious. He embodies everything about our team mantra of start, and he's certainly everything about our defense. He's a tough guy. He gives great effort, and he plays with passion. So, to see the consistency behind that has really been great."— cornerbacks coach Brandon Lynch on Ward's presence among the unit
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster last year: 6
