PFF tabs an Ohio State Buckeye to make immediate impact for Browns

Pro Football Focus named Browns cornerback Denzel Ward among the 20 players most likely to have an immediate impact with new teams in the NFL this fall.

A rookie from Ohio State, Ward was the No. 4 pick in the draft in April.

Easily one of the best cover corners in the 2018 class, Ward earned a 91.4 overall grade and 91.0 coverage grade in 2017. He also allowed 0.75 yards per coverage snap this past season, ranking 16th among qualifying FBS cornerbacks. 

The Browns were next-to-last in the NFL in interceptions last season with seven.

They ranked 26th-ranked pass defense in the league as measured by FootballOutsiders.com.

Ward is the 33rd player the Browns have drafted out of Ohio State but the first since receiver Brian Robiskie in 2009.

The last Ohio State defensive back drafted by the Browns before Ward was Dick LeBeau in 1959. He went on to a Hall of Fame career, though it was spent with the Detroit Lions.

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