2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns

4. Cleveland Browns: Darius Leonard, LB (Denzel Ward, CB)

The Browns drafted Ohio State’s Denzel Ward with the fourth pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Ward performed well as a rookie, intercepting three passes in 13 appearances and making the Pro Bowl. However, the shutdown cornerback took a step back this past season.

Even based on his performance as a rookie, Ward wouldn’t hear his name called this high in the draft. It’s not that he’s terrible, other players simply outplayed him both as rookies and during their first two years overall.

The fourth overall pick came down to four players. I considered taking Bradley Chubb, Derwin James, and Quenton Nelson, but Leonard filled an immediate need. While Cleveland could always use another pass rusher, the team already had Myles Garrett and eventually acquired Olivier Vernon, which ruled out Chubb.

James would make any NFL team exponentially better, but the Browns already had two promising young safeties on their roster. The team took Jabrill Peppers with the 25th overall pick in 2017 and traded for Damarious Randall, who they moved from cornerback to safety before the 2018 draft.

That left Leonard and Nelson, who both got drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. While Nelson is arguably the best guard in the entire league, the Browns already have a Pro Bowler, Joel Bitonio, at left guard. That leaves Leonard as the last man standing. None of Cleveland’s three starting linebackers from 2018 are still on the roster, so adding Leonard wouldn’t disrupt much.

In 2018, Leonard won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, earned a First-Team All-Pro selections, and led the NFL with 163 tackles. He was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2019. In two seasons, Leonard amassed seven interceptions, 15 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 sacks, and 284 tackles. He’s an unstoppable force.

Indianapolis originally selected the South Carolina State product with the 36th overall pick.