The Cleveland Browns leveraged much capital when they traded for quarterback Deshaun Watson. In addition to unprecedented contractual obligations, Cleveland sent five draft picks to the Houston Texans, three of which were first-rounders. When making a transaction like that, your front office has to be confident in its ability to find impact players on day two of the NFL Draft.
Cleveland’s first selection after the Watson trade was the No. 68 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. They took Mississippi State corner Martin Emerson Jr., a three-year contributor for the Bulldogs who tallied 152 tackles and an interception during college.
The Browns already had Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II on the roster when they made that pick, and many pondered if selecting Emerson was the right move, considering their corner talent already rostered and the sudden lack of premium draft capital.
Emerson didn’t have time to dismiss those theories. He became a day-one starter for the Browns and a shot of energy. He made 17 appearances in his rookie season, finishing with 63 tackles and 15 pass deflections. Emerson elevated his play even further in his sophomore campaign, notching a team-high four interceptions across 16 games.
In two short seasons, Emerson has embroidered himself into Cleveland’s culture. The 23-year-old youngster routinely sets the tone for the Browns’ defense on gameday, serving as a willing tackler from his outside position, being physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage, and talking plenty of trash between plays.
Several clips of him defending Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in training camp went viral, with Emerson taking a few reps from the league’s highest-paid pass catcher. Fans noted Emerson’s engagement in each clip as he attentively took an opportunity to learn from another great player.
His rise to one of Cleveland’s most important defenders is understandable – the 6-foot-2 corner clocks in at 195 pounds and boasts an 80-inch wingspan. Emerson has the physical tools to match up with the bigger-bodied outside targets while also enabling him to keep up with smaller, shifty receivers. He has active hands throughout a route and keeps a flexible base when shifting his leverage in a backpedal.
Emerson reads the ball well out of the air and attacks it with his hands, evidenced by several highlight-reel interceptions last year. He spent three years in an SEC defensive system, and while there have been some lapses in the NFL, he’s generally a danger to blockers in the run game.
Cleveland has many long-term pieces in its secondary – Ward is the ringleader who sets the standard for the group, while Newsome has been nothing but productive and essential in his short three seasons. They reached a three-year extension agreement with safety Grant Delpit this past season. However, Emerson is likely the heartbeat for their backend in 2024. He’s answered every question they’ve had thus far; now, the only question is how good can he get?