The Cleveland Browns surprised some by passing up the chance to pick Bradley Chubb in the first round of the NFL Draft, instead going with cornerback Denzel Ward. That, it seems, is just fine with their defensive coordinator.
Gregg Williams felt that the Browns’ needs, plus what they already had on the roster, meant that the Ward pick was a necessity.
“The reason is our need for a press cover cornerback,” Williams said, via Peter King of the MMQB. “Denzel probably plays that position as well as anyone I’ve seen in college football in some time. We probably play the most press of any team in the league. There’s another reason. I’ve got a video of 28 snaps of Myles Garrett pass-rushes last year where he gets within two steps or less of the quarterback when the ball comes out. Basically, we aren’t covering long enough to let him get to the quarterback.
“Myles and others — especially Emmanuel Ogbah –will get more chances because of Denzel. Ogbah’s a rising star in this league. He’s got a chance to be Chubb.”
Hue Jackson may not necessarily agree, but there’s the logic. The Browns will have to hope Ward works out or it could be looked at as another Browns draft mistake given how highly-rated Chubb is.
