5 burning questions the Browns must answer in 2019
Putting it simple, the Browns were not a good team defensively last season. Inconsistencies limited the unit, which resulted in a team that allowed the third-most total yards in the NFL. They gave up the second-most rushing touchdowns, fifth-most rushing yards, eighth most passing yards and their 119 penalties ranked them sixth in the league.
Although, there was one good aspect of the team’s defense buried beneath all of that bad. The Browns defense forced the second-highest number of turnovers in the NFL behind the Chicago Bears. Forcing 31 takeaways somewhat pacified the team’s overall defensive woes.
Rookie Denzel Ward forced a few of those turnovers with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his 13 games. He was named to the Pro Bowl and looks to be the team’s number-one corner heading into this season.
At age 22, asking Ward to be the number-one corner is both risky and probably unrealistic. However, Dorsey didn’t go out and sign or trade for a veteran corner this offseason, but he did draft Greedy Williams.
Williams will presumably take reps as the number-two corner for the Browns, as it’s doubtful Dorsey traded up to select Williams to be anything less than that. Now, the Browns will lean on a 22-year old and 21-year old, which can be either boom or bust.
Ward and Williams have potential that’s through the roof, but they’re still one of the biggest question marks on this team. Can both step up at such a young age and provide stability to the position? Or is the moment and task too much to ask of them right now? We will see as the season rolls on.