The Browns drafted CB Myles Harden with the 227th pick in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Here are five things to know about the Browns' newest member of the secondary.
First Coyote drafted since 2014
When the Browns selected Harden in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Harden became the 17th player from South Dakota to be drafted to the NFL. He was also the first Coyote to be drafted since Tyler Starr was drafted by the Falcons in 2014.
Suffered two season-ending injuries during collegiate career
Harden endured two season-ending injuries in college while at South Dakota — the first in 2021 and the second in 2022 — and overcame both of those injuries to finish out his collegiate career.
His sophomore year, Harden started five of the first six games of the season in 2021 before he suffered a broken leg that ended his season. He came back for the 2022 season, but then sustained a foot injury in the six game that ended his junior season.
2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award semifinalist
After sustaining a season-ending foot injury in the sixth game of the 2022 season, Harden came back for 2023 and excelled. He was named a semifinalist for the National Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023 and was one of two FCS players to be named a semifinalist.
Harden finished the 2023 season with 58 tackles, one fumble recovery, seven passes defended and one interception in 13 games. He tied the team lead with seven passes defended, including one interception and six pass breakups. He was also the team's fifth-leading tackler and was a part of a secondary that finished 18th nationally in passing yards allowed.
Check out photos of Browns 2024 seventh round pick Myles Harden
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez (9) is sacked by South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden before fumbling the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri running back Nathaniel Peat, left, runs past South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden, right, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
West's Myles Harden, of South Dakota, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State wide receiver Malik Knowles (4) is tackled by South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
South Dakota defensive back Myles Harden runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Participated in East-West Shrine Bowl
During the pre-draft process, Harden accepted an invitation to compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which provided an opportunity to be in front of scouts and coaches from around the NFL. He was on the West team's roster for the Shrine Bowl, which featured one Browns' coach in Stephen Bravo-Brown who served as the special teams coordinator for the 2024 West team.
Nickel profile
The Browns added another developmental corner to their secondary with the addition of Harden. Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry said with Harden, they see potential of him fitting in at the nickel position.
"Myles is a small school corner who we thought actually has a pretty well-rounded skill set. I think he probably has maybe a little bit more from our perspective a nickel profile with even maybe some potential to flex at safety," Berry said. "But really smart kid, was productive out of South Dakota. Good enough tools for the position. And I think corner will always be a premium spot for us for defense to offense. "
