Tag: Martin Emerson

Underdogs to watch in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick goes to the film to predict some underdogs bound to shine in their Week 1 NFL matchups

As the 2022 NFL regular season gets underway, there are a few under dogs who are bound to stand out in week one.

It’s no fun to point out the Pro Bowl players or elite starters who have already made a name for themselves. Instead, there are some under-the-radar starters and second-string players who will have a chance this week to prove their dominance. Whether it’s a favorable matchup versus their opponent or continuing their performance from preseason, these are a few guys to keep our eyes on.

Let’s go to the film and check them out!

CB Martin Emerson has a chance to make an early impact

Cleveland’s first selection, which came in the third round, will have a chance to make an impact in Week 1, not exactly what everyone thought when he was selected:

It is not rare for a team’s first selection in any given NFL draft to have a chance to make an impact as a rookie. It is rare for a team’s first selection to come in the third round of the draft.

For the Cleveland Browns, drafting CB Martin Emerson after trading their first-round pick and trading down out of the second round was curious. At the time, the Browns had four quality players at his position including Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, both former first-round picks.

As Week 1 of the regular season rolls around, the other two quality players at Emerson’s position are not on the active roster. The Browns traded Troy Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams while Greedy Williams, a former second-round pick, just went on injured reserve.

What once looked like adding depth to an already deep position now looks like a prescient move.

Emerson will step into Williams’ place as Cleveland’s third cornerback which should lead him to plenty of playing time right away. If he plays well, Emerson will not be giving that role back even when Williams returns from injured reserve.

It is interesting that HC Kevin Stefanski named Emerson and not third-year pro A.J. Green as the team’s third corner:

Despite really good tape coming out of college and a pick-6 in the preseason, based on some recent data, it is likely that Emerson will get tested regularly in coverage.

Cleveland’s first selection, which came in the third round, will have a chance to make an impact in Week 1, not exactly what everyone thought when he was selected.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=none image=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Browns place CB Greedy Williams on IR ahead of Week 1

The Cleveland Browns place CB Greedy Williams on IR ahead of Week 1 and sign CB Herb Miller from the practice squad

The Cleveland Browns will be without Greedy Williams for a few weeks. The Browns placed the cornerback on the injured reserve list on Friday with a hamstring issue that was not getting better.

Williams was slated to play extensively in Joe Woods’ defense. The third-year corner from LSU played in 16 games a year ago, starting eight of them.

Rookie Martin Emerson figures to take over the role from Williams. Emerson played well in the preseason and has the ball skills and tackling ability to step right in and perform.

The Browns signed CB Herb Miller from the practice squad to the active roster to fill the vacancy created by placing Williams on IR. Miller showed some promise during training camp in Cleveland this summer.

Data shows that CB Martin Emerson will be targeted often

Based on some recent data, expect Emerson to be targeted a ton by the Panthers. Adjust your fantasy lineups (and expectations) accordingly:

When the Cleveland Browns finally selected a player in the 2022 NFL draft, it was somewhat surprising that they selected a cornerback. While CB Martin Emerson may be a great pick as early as this year, he was added to a very deep group of players while other positions, notably receiver and defensive tackle, had bigger needs.

The Browns traded CB Troy Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams and lost M.J. Stewart in free agency which could open up playing time for Emerson. When CB Greedy Williams was downgraded on the injury report Thursday, Emerson back more likely to see the field a lot.

Whether Emerson plays good or bad, based on data from 2020 he will be targeted by offenses a ton:

For opponents of the Browns, it is an easy calculation to make. A team would rather not throw the ball toward Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II meaning the third corner is likely to be targeted often. While we await Williams’ final injury designation and a visit from CB Jimmy Moreland, we can assume that Emerson or A.J. Green will step into that third spot.

On Sunday, when Emerson is in the game and QB Baker Mayfield drops back to pass, keep an eye on where #23 is because the football is likely to follow.

The above data can also be used to make fantasy football decisions. If your receiver is facing the likes of Derek Stingly Jr., Sauce Gardner or Trent McDuffie, it is likely that opposing offense’s game plans will be to get the ball to the receiver they are covering.

Denzel Ward gives Martin Emerson, Herb Miller $400 for INTs

Ward rewarding a couple of “Alpha Dawgs” for getting INTs against the Jaguars:

The Cleveland Browns may need to lean on their defense this season especially for however long QB Deshaun Watson is out. The Browns offense will always be solid in the run with their offensive line and stable of running backs but questions as wide receiver with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback can’t be ignored.

John Johnson III introduced the term “Alpha Dawgs” that the defense was going to be using this year. With a focus on creating turnovers, Cleveland wants to emphasize that mentality early in training camp and the preseason.

In the Browns opening preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the defense forced three turnovers including two interceptions. Tuesday, CB Denzel Ward told reporters that he promised $400 to anyone who got an interception:

Rookie CB Martin Emerson and CB Herb Miller were the gracious recipients of that promise from Ward, who just recently returned off the team’s physically unable to perform list.

A little financial reward is one way to encourage the “Alpha Dawgs” to get those turnovers. After signing a huge extension this offseason, Ward is putting a small amount of that money to good use.

Maybe we will even hear how Emerson and Miller chose to spend that reward money.

[pickup_prop id=”23488″]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=none image=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Secret Superstars for Week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has scoured preseason tape, and here are his Secret Superstars for Week 1 of this NFL preseason.

Those party-poopers who tell you that “It’s only the preseason” have never tried to make an NFL team, or grab a starting role, by the skin of their teeth. For more players than not, the three-game stretch before the regular season begins is their best way to prove that they belong on an NFL roster once things get “real.”

Now that Week 1 of the 2022 preseason is in the books, here are the players we think have done the most to create — or enhance — those favorable impressions when they matter the most.

The players on this list are not the obvious names — there are no first-rounders, or players who came into the new season with advanced amounts of hype based on their collegiate or previous NFL exploits. These guys are either trying to stake their claims, or save their careers.

So, let’s take a look at the Secret Superstars of Week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason.

(All metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus unless otherwise indicated).

Rookie CB Martin Emerson provides defensive highlight with pick six

Another big play by a Browns rookie, this time on defense. Two different camera angles show you just how impressive it was:

While the night didn’t start the way the Cleveland Browns had hoped against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team took the lead going into halftime thanks to two rookies making big plays. Running back Jerome Ford busted a 41-yard gain, caught a 13-yard pass and scored the Browns first touchdown.

After that, it was time for a defensive rookie to step up and make a play.

With Cleveland down 13-7, Jacksonville looked to extend their lead after a defensive holding call on Lavert Hill kept their drive alive inside the two-minute warning.

On second and five, CB Martin Emerson, the Browns first selection in the 2022 NFL draft, joined the rookie party. Emerson fought the receiver for the ball and pulled it away. He then stiff-armed a would-be tackler, cut past the quarterback trying to make a tackle and outraced the Jaguars to the endzone:

Here, from the team’s official account, we see a different view of the interception and just how physical the rookie was:

After Ford and Emerson’s touchdowns, Cleveland’s rookies led Jacksonville 14-13 at halftime.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=none image=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Marty Emerson turns thievery into pick-six of Jaguars

Martin Emerson with a pick-six in his NFL debut

Some things never change, like the Jacksonville Jaguars turning the ball over and over.

In their preseason opener, C.J. Beathard threw a pass and the Browns’ Martin Emerson pilfered it and took off for the end zone.

Seventy-four yards later, the Browns had six points and new coach Doug Pederson had video to take his backup QB to school.

Emerson is a third-round pick out of Mississippi State.

In you were wondering, second-year QB Trevor Lawrence, the overall No. 1 pick in 2021, was 6-of-12 for 95 yards and a Jacksonville TD.

8 biggest questions entering Browns training camp

The 8 biggest questions that need to get answered in Browns training camp

Cleveland Browns training camp kicks off with the rookies reporting on Friday and the full team convening shortly thereafter. The Browns head to Berea for Kevin Stefanski’s third season as head coach with quite a few questions.

The biggest of those is what happens with QB Deshaun Watson, but that’s a greater question than can be answered in training camp. My questions for the Browns deal more with things that can be resolved in training camp and the three preseason games.

Here are the top questions for the Browns to answer on the practice field in training camp.

What rookie CB Martin Emerson brings to the Browns’ defense

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick breaks down cornerback Martin Emerson’s versatility and how he fits in the Cleveland Browns’ defense.

The Cleveland Browns reached an agreement with their rookie defensive back, Martin Emerson. His rookie deal has a total value of $5.75 million with a signing bonus of $1.36 million. The Browns didn’t have a pick in the 2022 draft until the 68th overall pick in the third round — mostly as a result of the Deshaun Watson trade — but they were eager to get Emerson on board as their first selection.

Emerson’s frame is what caught the eye of Browns’ coaching staff. This former Mississippi State cornerback stands 6-foot-2, weighing 201 pounds with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches. He’s taller than both of Cleveland’s starting outside corners, Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, and has weight on them both as well.

When asked about the nickel position, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, “I think we have multiple guys who can fill that role and have filled that role. I think that’s why we talk about versatility. If you’re playing corner or you’re playing safety, you’re going to be trained to play in the slot or play our nickel position. I think we have multiple guys who can do that.”

So, the question we have with Emerson is where he fits. His size would immediately label him as a boundary corner, but his skillset and the defensive scheme might say otherwise. Let’s go to the film to see where Emerson fits best!