The Cleveland Browns Cornerbacks: The Sleeper Unit

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, the Cleveland Browns are going to have a surprise unit on the field this year—the secondary.

Over the past 10 years since the Browns have come back into the league, we have had what you call a dry spell of talent in the secondary.

This year it is going to be a little different. Cleveland has quality players all across the secondary roster.

Watching the Browns last year was dreadful, but the one spot on the field that I felt that was an up and coming unit was the cornerbacks'. Eric Wright and Brandon Mcdonald did their best to keep with the wideouts in the league.

I felt that they did an admirable job, considering that there was no defensive pressure on the quarterback. When pro quarterbacks have all the time in the world to pass the ball, someone such as J.T. O'Sullivan can torch the secondary.

So, looking at what the Browns did in the draft and in free agency, I am confident when I say this that the Cleveland Browns will have a top-15 secondary this year.

Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald will be in their third year as pros. They will have a better advantage keeping with wideouts, because they should have an improved pass rush, along with a better linebacking core. Because of this, they won't be forced to cover for so long.

The additions of Corey Ivy, Rod Hood, and Hank Poteat give the Browns a veteran presence that will teach the young guys "the tricks of the trade".  

Having this type of veteran leadership will have the biggest impact for a unit that was pretty much last in every category for pass defense.

Coye Francies and Don Carey will have an impact—just not really sure where at this point in time. I would think more along the lines of special teams during their rookie campaign.

These two guys (Francies and Carey) are going to battle for some playing time. They both have a different skill set than the other.

Carey is probably going to be more at the line of scrimmage for run plays. He is a physical corner.

Francies might become a nickel type of defender. He has good hips and can run with the pesky slot receiver during the underneath routes.

I feel the Browns are going in the right direction with what they have done in the first year of the new regime—building a solid veteran presence, and drafting a couple of corners that will build depth and make for good competition later down the road.

So, I think the fans this year will be pleasantly surprised with what type of secondary takes the field, and how well they will do.

Go Browns!