NFL Draft: Grading each 2018 first-round pick after Week 11

4. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB

Back on the clock again with the No. 4 pick was the Cleveland Browns. After taking Baker Mayfield over Sam Darnold, the Browns had another tough decision to make with this selection as they were rumored to be looking at two separate players.

One was edge rusher Bradley Chubb from North Carolina State, and the other was Ohio State corner Denzel Ward. They later admitted both were similarly ranked, but considering they had the No. 1 pick from 2017 in Myles Garrett and the No. 32 pick in 2016 in Emmanuel Ogbah on the edges, they felt like there was a greater need in the defensive backfield.

That tipped the scales in Denzel Ward’s favor and so far, it looks to have been a great pick. This isn’t to say Chubb would have been the wrong pick, as he too has played well, but Ward has done well and lived up to his lofty Draft status.

It didn’t take long to see returns on the investment either. A day one starter, Ward recorded two interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a third in Week 5 against Baltimore. Ward was also able to block a field goal in that win over the Ravens. He’s also won multiple Rookie of the Week awards like Mayfield has as well.

This 2018 NFL Draft class looks beyond impressive for Cleveland, with Ward and Mayfield both paying huge dividends already. The Browns knocked both these picks out of the park.

 Grade: A