Each NFL team’s MVP this season

Cleveland Browns-Denzel Ward

Not many people applauded the Browns for spending a high draft pick on Denzel Ward in April, but he’s played big time football for John Dorsey. No matter who Cleveland selects as their next head coach, they can pencil Ward into the starting lineup for years to come.

In fairness, he does benefit from his team’s above-average pass rush. Even so, he’s flashed the ability to be a legitimate shutdown corner on multiple occasions this season. Yes, he’s gotten beaten deep more than you’d like, but he’s matched up against the other team’s No. 1 wide receiver on the vast majority of his snaps.

Judging cornerbacks statistically is pretty difficult, but it’s worth noting that Ward has notched three picks on the season to date. More importantly, when you watch him on film you see a defensive back who isn’t scared to make a play on the ball. That bodes well for his ability to create turnovers consistently throughout his career.

Ward probably isn’t going to be named to the Pro Bowl this year, but that sort of accolade is absolutely in his future. Picking a corner so high might not have been the right value play for the Browns in the draft, but Ward is the real deal.