Browns roster desperately needs cornerback: Free agent options

The defensive backfield has always been such a pet project for Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry. He played cornerback in college, and so far, has done everything in his power to provide both the corner and safety positions with good talent, plus depth players.

And that was all it took to push that last tight Jenga piece, because it toppled. Badly.

Emerson’s injury forced DC Jim Schwartz to move slot corner Greg Newsome back to the outside, and then insert a new body to play Newsome’s vacant spot. The winner ended up as Cam Mitchell, although youngster Myles Harden would get plenty of reps here as well.

It was thought that after the loss to Emerson, Berry would bring in a seasoned veteran to replace him. But that never happened. It was either Mitchell, Harden, veteran Nik Needham, or rookie undrafted free agent Dom Jones. But both Needham and Jones were eventually released, with Jones now listed on the practice squad.

Schwartz requires his cornerbacks to play man coverage, with occasional help from a safety over the top. This works great if you have an abundance of talent like Denzel Ward, who starts on the left side. Ward had a great college career and, as a senior, was named Consensus All-American plus First Team All-Big 10, so his pedigree was well-known. Then the Browns selected fourth overall in the 2018 NFL draft, and now he has four Pro Bowls in seven seasons.

But Mitchell has been a project. He received a lot of playing time last year, with 372 snaps, which accounted for 34.32% of all defensive plays. Granted, the last four games he was inserted into the defensive lineup quite a bit after the season was deemed lost, but still, he played. And developed.

Harden made the final roster, but his rookie season was basically a wash when he was placed on IR with a shin injury he suffered in practice while preparing for the Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was activated on December 14 with just four games remaining.

Neither Mitchell nor Harden is ready to take on a starting role. They certainly aren’t seasoned enough to cover a receiver in man coverage in a live game.

Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 this past weekend, their offense picked on both players and scored at will.

The Ravens scored four passing touchdowns:

Quarter 2 – 11:13, WR Tylan Wallace 15 yards; Coverage: Mitchell

Quarter 3 – 10:09, WR Tylan Wallace 2 yards; Coverage: Mitchell

Quarter 4 – 13:26, WR Devontez Walker 24 yards; Coverage: Harden

Quarter 4 – 4:43, WR DeAndre Hopkins 23 yards; Coverage: Mitchell

Out of all these touchdown passes, S Ronnie Hickman was late getting over on two scores while the other two did not have any safety help. The only contested TD catch was the Hopkins reception.

The other three TD passes, the receiver just ran his route, had at least two steps on the defender, and caught the ball without any harassment whatsoever. No jaw-dropping juke, no sensational head bob or great shoulder shake that would fool his man; they just ran the route as either Mitchell or Harden just trailed behind the intended receiver. And no attempt to bat the ball away because each time the defensive back wasn’t in the vicinity to be able to defend the pass.

It is very obvious that Berry needs to sign a veteran to come in and play opposite Ward, and move Newsome back into the slot position.

If the Browns continue with Mitchell and Harden as their slot guy, it is going to be a very long, frustrating year. Several free agent cornerbacks are available.

6’-1”, 210 pounds

Age: 32

40 time: 4.5

NFL experience: 8 years

2024 PFF grade: (on IR)

Bradberry did not play at all in 2024 as he suffered a leg injury in practice and was placed on IR before the final cuts were announced, which placed him on season-ending IR. He is healthy now and available after the Philadelphia Eagles did not retain him.

He has 478 career tackles and has 19 picks with 112 batted balls. Bradberry made the Pro Bowl in 2020 while with the New York Football Giants and earned Second Team All-Pro in 2022 in his first season with the Eagles.

5”-10”, 180 pounds

Age: 25

40 time: 4.41

NFL experience: 4 years

2024 PFF grade: 59.3

It is true that Samuel has disappointed since being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers. But he has played in 50 NFL games and started 47, so he has good experience already and is still a young man.

Last year, after playing in just four games, Samuel was placed on IR with a shoulder injury on October 12, 2024. It has been a query why he remains on the open market, but no one knew if his health was intact or pending. It’s been a grand mystery, but revealed that he underwent neck surgery in April. Samuel had a check-up in early July, but has not been cleared. That analysis is pending any day now.

When he is cleared, Samuel has the ability to seriously upgrade a defense.

NFL stats: 50 games played with 47 starts, 176 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, zero sacks, one fumble recovery, 37 batted passes, and 6 interceptions.

5’-11”, 188 pounds

Age: 30

40 time: 4.52

NFL experience: 8 years

2024 PFF grade: 53.5

Another guy with plenty of NFL experience, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in Round 3 in 2017. He did experience an eight-game suspension last year for violating the personal conduct policy regarding a domestic battery case. So, there’s that. He did return and play the final nine games, and the case was ultimately dismissed.

Sutton is a bit undersized and would be slated as the slot corner. Sutton’s best attribute is his footwork. He’s quick and balanced, capable of changing directions on the fly and sticking on a receiver’s hip while in man coverage. He’s proven he can do that both on the outside and in the slot. Sutton is instinctive and anticipates routes well from a pre-snap look.

NFL stats: 110 games played with 58 starts, 248 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 47 batted passes, 9 interceptions, three QB hits, two knockdowns, four hurries, and eight pressures.

0 Comments