Tag: Martin Emerson Jr.

Martin Emerson Jr. injury update: Browns CB ruled out with concussion

Cleveland Browns cornerback M.J. Emerson Jr. left the game against the Kansas City Chiefs to be evaluated for a concussion.

Cleveland Browns starting cornerback M.J. Emerson Jr. left the game against the Kansas City Chiefs to be evaluated for a concussion. Emerson played well to start the game. The cornerback has been around the ball constantly. Eventually, his presence will be rewarded with an interception.

Emerson left the game during the first quarter after bouncing off a running back. Emerson was quickly moved to the locker room for a proper evaluation.

He has been ruled out the rest of the game.

The Browns are down one starting cornerback with Greg Newsome II put on injured reserve earlier this week. The Browns cannot afford to lose another cornerback.

Emerson has played inconsistently this year. The cornerback was expected to leap to stardom this season. Unfortunately, the cornerback has been burned by some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Emerson must remain healthy to finish the season strong.

Starting CB enters the concussion protocol after exiting vs. Raiders

The Browns lost another starter at the end of the game and his status is now up in the air.

Cleveland Browns starting cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. exited the game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the waning minutes of an embarrassing loss.

Emerson was slow to get up and walked to the medical tent with a gaggle of trainers to the medical tent. Emerson was deemed to be in the concussion protocol by head coach Kevin Stefanski after the game.

Emerson had a very rough game against the Raiders. Emerson gave massive cushions to Raiders’ receivers and they gladly ate up the free yards.  Emerson was torched multiple times by Raiders’ receiver Tre Tucker. 

The Browns juggled their cornerbacks to replace Emerson. Slot cornerback Greg Newsome II kicked outside. Backup cornerback Cameron Mitchell replaced Newsome in the slot. Mitchell has played well in his limited time as Brown. He plays with a lot of physicality and he fits the demeanor of the defense.

The Browns have suffered a rash of injuries against the Raiders. The Browns lost starting center Ethan Pocic in the first quarter. Linebacker Jordan Hicks left the game with an injury but eventually came back in.

Browns have an ultimate defensive weapon in Martin Emerson Jr.

The third-year cornerback still has another level to reach too!

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?

Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr. named one of NFL’s most underappreciated

The Cleveland Browns found a gem in cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.

The Cleveland Browns combine for one of the most dominant cornerback rooms in the NFL, headlined by Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II.

However, it is the youngest of the bunch, Emerson Jr., who has seen praise heaped upon him this offseason. NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice is the latest to give the third-year cornerback his flowers. Naming Emerson Jr. the Browns’ most underappreciated player, here is what Filice has to say on the future Pro Bowler:

“A third-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2022, Emerson has emerged as a press-man savant, thanks in large part to his pterodactyl wingspan. Standing a smidge under 6-foot-2, Emerson’s tall for a corner, but it’s his extraordinary arm length (33 1/2 inches) that really allows him to stymie receivers at the line of scrimmage and clog passing lanes down the field.”

As the Browns look to continue their dominant ways defensively, they will continue to rely upon the services of Emerson Jr. and his running mates Ward and Newsome II.

All 32 NFL teams (including Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and the Browns) ranked by their cornerbacks

The Browns have a dynamic trio of cornerbacks, but where do they rank among the rest of the league?

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz came in and transformed the defense of the Cleveland Browns into the top unit in the NFL in just one season. And a big reason for that is due to the trust he can put into Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and the rest of the secondary to line up and do their job.

The Browns run more cover-1 than any team in the NFL, and they can do that because Ward and Emerson are not afraid to line up at the line of scrimmage and punch the man across from them in the face. They even have another first round pick in Greg Newsome II patrolling the nickel, giving them a formidable alliance of cornerbacks to put their trust in. This allows for pass rushers to get home as well.

Where does ESPN’s Mike Clay have the Browns’ cornerback room ranked among the rest of the NFL, however? We take a deep look now:

Deonte Banks, Cordale Flott, Nick McCloud, Tre Hawkins III, Andru Phillips

Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas, Elijah Jones

Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Jartavius Martin, Mike Sainristil, Michael Davis

Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, Decamerion Richardson

A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Antonio Hamilton, Dee Alford

Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Josiah Scott, Darius Rush, Ryan Watts

Asante Samuel Jr., Kristian Fulton, Ja’Sir Taylor, Deane Leonard, Tarheeb Still

Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr.

Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison

Tyson Campbell, Ronald Darby, Antonio Johnson, Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones

Cam Taylor-Britt, D.J. Turner, Mike Hilton, Jalen Davis, Josh Newton

Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Tavierre Thomas, Christian Izien, Bryce Hall

Kenny Moore II, Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr.

Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nic Jones, Ekow Boye-Doe

Derek Stingley Jr., Desmond King, Kamari Lassiter, Myles Bryant, Jeff Okudah

Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White, Quentin Lake, Decobie Durant, Derion Kendrick

Patrick Surtain II, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, Damarri Mathis, Kris Abrams-Draine

Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Shaun Wade

Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, T.J. Tampa

Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine

Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas, Renardo Green, Rock Ya-Sin

Devon Witherspoon, Tariq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Tre Brown, Artie Burns

Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean

Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy

Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugochukwu Amadi

Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, Greg Stroman

Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Emmanuel Moseley, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, Chidobe Awuzie, Tre Avery, Eric Garror

Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis, Nahshon Wright, C.J. Goodwin

Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Martin Emerson, Cameron Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie

Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, Cam Smith

Ahmad Gardner, D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II, Isaiah Oliver, Brandin Echols

WATCH: Martin Emerson Jr. nails putt and teammates go crazy at Browns golf event

The young star made a shot that made his teammates go wild

On Monday, the Cleveland Browns held their 24th annual golf tournament, with several players in attendance. Third-year rising star cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. had what might have been the shot of the day when he drained a long putt.

As soon as the put landed in the hole, teammates, including Jordan Hicks, went crazy celebrating the impressive shot. It’s always fun to see videos like this, which highlight how close this team has become and how they genuinely seem to enjoy being around each other.

It’s been an interesting offseason for Emerson, who is starting to get the buzz and credit he deserves for his play on the field. Some are still doubting him, but the national media is finally realizing what Browns fans and media have known for a while about the young star.

Browns OTA practices continue this week as training camp and the 2024 season begin to get close.

Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr. predicted as a breakout Pro Bowler next season

Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was predicted to be a Pro Bowler in the upcoming season by football analytics company Sports Info Solutions.

The off-season accolades continue rolling in for Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Sports Info Solutions predicted the third-year cornerback to be a Pro Bowler in the 2024 season. Emerson has impressed a lot of media members with two years of strong play. SIS believes the public will discover the best-kept secret on the Browns’ defense.

Emerson has been a dominant outside cornerback for the Browns in his first two seasons. SIS posted a few metrics to help illustrate just how dominant Emerson has been. According to SIS’s Total Points metric, their version of expected points added, which is then applied to players, he was ranked as the 16th highest cornerback in his rookie season and the 10th highest cornerback last season. Emerson rarely gives up big plays. His rank among “Boom percentage”, big plays avoided, was ninth and sixth in his first two seasons.

Emerson played at a shutdown level during his first two seasons. The 23-year-old cornerback continues to improve as he refines his press technique to deal with quicker receivers. Emerson is getting much-needed recognition for his play over his first two seasons. Hopefully, Emerson can garner more recognition during the season as the team looks to repeat as the best defense in the league, and as Emerson looks forward to a contract extension with the organization.

Browns CBs Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. listed in elite territory

The Browns’ secondary continues to get their flowers.

The Cleveland Browns boast one of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL with Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr., and Greg Newsome II holding down the fort.

In fact, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton thinks the duo of Ward and Emerson Jr. are among the best in the NFL. He ranked them as the second-best duo in the league, behind only Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys.

Speaking highly of Pro Bowler Denzel Ward, Moton stated:

“Ward has eye-opening advanced coverage numbers as well. In two out of his six campaigns, he’s allowed a completion rate lower than 49 percent. Last year, he surrendered a 56.2 passer rating, which is his career best. Gardner hasn’t topped either of those single-season marks.”

Moton added this on Emerson Jr.:

“As the primary defender opposite Ward, the 23-year-old has an All-Pro-Pro Bowl trajectory because of his knack for making game-changing plays. He has more upside than New York Jets’ No. 2 cornerback D.J. Reed, who hasn’t recorded more than two interceptions in a single campaign.”

This does not even mention Greg Newsome II, who played among the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL a year ago for the Browns as well. Keeping this trio together, the Browns will look to repeat as the top defense in the NFL due to their success on the backend.

CB Martin Emerson Jr. named Browns’ most underrated player

Emerson Jr. continues to receive love around the league

One more year like his first two with the Cleveland Browns and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. will be known as one of the highest-paid players at his position.

For now, however, some still underestimate him. That may be due to Cleveland playing three cornerbacks at all times and there may be some confusion about Emerson Jr.’s status as a starter since he only comes on the field in nickel sets (which is still 75 percent of the snaps for the Browns).

One analyst, however, is not letting Emerson Jr. fly under the radar. Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has listed the third-year cornerback out of Mississippi State as the Browns’ most underrated player. He had this to say on the standout:

“Overall last season, regardless of scheme, Emerson gave up 36 catches on 73 targets for 498 yards, 161 yards after the catch, one touchdown, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 53.3 — the fourth-lowest in the NFL among cornerbacks playing at least 50% of their snaps.”

As the Browns look to repeat as the best defensive unit in the NFL, they will need to see continued standout performances from all of their cornerbacks, including Emerson Jr. And something tells me he’s up to the task.

One analyst ranks Browns Martin Emerson Jr. 5th-best CB in the NFL

One analyst is giving Emerson the respect he deserves

When it is all said and done, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. might be the biggest steal Andrew Berry has ever made in the NFL draft. Cleveland Browns fans were surprised when the pick was made a year after they took Greg Newsome II in the first round.

Emerson was up to the challenge from day one in the NFL, but he took a massive step forward in year two for Cleveland last season. Recently Cody Alexander dropped some coverage charts and listed Emerson as his fifth overall ranking in the Top 10 in both man and zone coverage.

Using a unique blend of size, strength, and athleticism, Emerson can compete against big, physical wide receivers and athletic, quick wide receivers. If he continues at the same level of play this year, he won’t be underrated around the league anymore.

A second season in Jim Schwatz’s scheme could see him take it to another level in 2024.