2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns
By Samuel Teets
13. Washington Redskins: Denzel Ward, CB (Da’Ron Payne, DT)
Out of all players who appeared in the redraft so far, Ward fell the farthest. The Ohio State product originally went fourth overall to the Cleveland Browns and lived up to his draft stock as a rookie, intercepting three passes in 13 appearances and making the Pro Bowl. However, so many members of the 2018 draft class reached All-Pro levels over the past two seasons, which pushed Ward down the draft board.
A member of the 2018 NFL All-Rookie Team, Ward is the top cornerback from his draft class. Nothing over the past two seasons changed that, although several players did close the gap. Notably, Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander continues improving and could reach a Pro Bowl level before his rookie contract ends. Carolina’s Donte Jackson flashed as a rookie but took a step back last year.
In the redraft, Ward joins an underachieving Redskins secondary led by the overpaid Josh Norman. While Norman earned a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2015, he was a borderline starter by the 2018 season. He never lived up to the monstrous five-year, $75 million contract he signed with the Redskins.
Based on Norman’s state in 2018, Ward could’ve become Washington’s best cornerback and defensive back the moment he joined the franchise.
In the real draft, the Redskins selected defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. Payne performed well in each of his first two seasons, but he doesn’t warrant a top-15 pick in the redraft.