The Browns on Friday selected CB Martin Emerson with the 68th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Emerson, a native of Pensacola, Florida, was a three-year starter at Mississippi State and recorded 16 career pass breakups and one interception. He's a tall, rangy cornerback at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds and had 50 tackles and three pass breakups in 2021. He led Mississippi State with 11 pass breakups in 2020.
"I think sometimes the interception numbers for corners can be a little misleading," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "You always talk about offenses staying away from a certain guy, but those are all things – speaking of player development things – that we feel like we can work with him. Played in a really difficult league. Played against some great players. Like his size a lot. Somebody I think coach (defensive coordinator Joe) Woods, (pass game coordinator/defensive backs) Coach (Jeff) Howard and (assistant defensive backs) Coach (Brandon) Lynch, they can really get with him over the course of his career and early on get with him and start developing some of those traits. Like Glenn I mentioned, I think he has it in him."
Emerson called it "exciting" to join a Browns defensive backs room that includes Pro Bowler Denzel Ward and last year's first-round pick, Greg Newsome II.
"It is exciting just going in with guys who have been in my position," Emerson said. "Great players and just going in and learning from them, it is going to be great. Just coming in, I am going to compete and give it all I have. Bring a little size. Bring some physicality. I am just going to bring everything I have. Excited just to be a part of the team and be a part of the defensive back group."
Check out photos of Browns 2022 third round pick Martin Emerson.
Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) celebrates with teammates after they defeated Auburn in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) warms up before an NCAA football game against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State defenders Marcus Murphy (7), Martin Emerson (1) and Fred Peters (38) go after an Arkansas fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) rests after a drill during warmups before an NCAA football game against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks (16) tries to make a catch in front of Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson (1) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Auburn wide receiver Kobe Hudson (5) is tackled by Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) recovers a blocked field goal against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
