Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is playing some of the best football in the league as he plays through his seventh season in the NFL.
Ward is locking down his third of the field and making it impossible for quarterbacks to throw it his way. He ranks at the top of most cornerback statistics. Ward has the second highest coverage grade, according to PFF, and the third highest forced incompletion rate in the league. NFL’s Next Gen Stats ranks him first in tight windows forced.
Tight window forced rate thru Week 3 (min. 10 targets):
1. Denzel Ward (61.5%)
2. Jonathan Jones (45.5%)
3. Tariq Woolen (45.5%)Ward also ranks 2nd in coverage grade (85.0) and 3rd in forced incompletion rate (33%). He is playing some incredible football right now.
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) September 27, 2024
Ward has been sticky in man coverage. Ward followed Malik Nabers in the second half and shut down the rookie’s fantastic first half. The Browns must decide if they want Ward shadowing the opposing number one receiver or if the team wants him to shut down the left side of the field.
The Browns won’t make the choice on Sunday when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Star wide receiver Devante Adams has been ruled out of the game. Ward should have a solid outing against one of the league’s worst passing attacks.