2018 NFL Mock Draft: Jets trade up for Josh Rosen

By Brad Weiss | Mar 21, 2018

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins throws the football prior to the Cactus Bowl against Kansas State Wildcats at Chase Field on December 26, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Kansas State Wildcats won 35-17. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) lines up on the outside during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. player. 53. . Cornerback. Ohio State. Denzel Ward

With their second of two first round picks, the Cleveland Browns are likely to bring in a player to bolster their defense. The Browns traded away Joe Haden during the 2017 season, and last week, they released Jason McCourty. That leaves them pretty thin at the cornerback position, so they may want to go out and bring in the best corner in this draft class.

Denzel Ward had to wait his turn to take over as a starter at Ohio State, as he was in a defensive back group with 2017 first rounders Gareon Conley, and Marshon Lattimore. When he did get his chance to shine in 2017, he made sure to leave his mark, playing well enough to be considered one of the best in the nation. Ward then followed that up with a great showing in the NFL Scouting Combine, locking up his spot as a first round pick.

The Browns have added some nice talent this offseason, and should be much improved over their pitiful 2017 campaign. They actually have players who can help them win, and bringing in a player like Ward would really make them better in the back end of their defense. They could go a number of different directions with this pick, including trading it, but Ward makes sense at No. 4.

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