Cleveland’s Shutdown Corner on the Move: $100.5 Million Star Trade Buzz Heats Up
The Cleveland Browns are unlikely to make the playoffs, and because of that, could be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
The Browns are off to a 1-3 start and have already made a quarterback change as the rebuild continues. With that, NFL insider Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated predicts the Browns will deal star cornerback Denzel Ward to the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round pick.
The Seahawks have a talented defense, but they could use another reliable cornerback,” Manzano wrote. “Riq Woolen has struggled to play as well as he did in his rookie season in 2022 and has given up chunk plays at crucial times this year.
“Additionally, with Ward in Seattle, it would allow coach Mike Macdonald to move around Devon Witherspoon between inside and outside cornerback positions. The 28-year-old Ward is a four-time Pro Bowler with 18 career interceptions,” Manzano added.
Ward has been an elite cornerback since entering the NFL after the Browns selected him fourth overall in 2018.
Ward is in the midst of a five-year, $100.5 million deal with Cleveland. The lockdown corner has 10 tackles and one interception in 4 games this season with the Browns. In his career, he has recorded 332 tackles, 18 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 98 pass defenses.
Insider Gives Browns News on Ward’s Trade Value
Although Manzano only has Cleveland getting a second-round pick for Ward, which is a bit of a surprise, another insider believes that is his perceived value.
In the offseason, ESPN NFL insider Bill Barnwell wrote that Ward wouldn’t fetch a first-round pick in a trade.
“Denzel Ward, 28, is still one of the league’s top cornerbacks,” Barnwell
If the Browns do opt to trade Ward at the deadline, Cleveland would start Jarrick Bernard-Converse, who’s currently Ward’s backup.
Cleveland claimed Bernard-Converse off waivers before the start of the season after the New York Jets waived him. In his NFL career, he’s recorded 7 tackles in 15 games.
Cleveland DC Praises Ward’s Coverage
The Browns defense is led by Myles Garrett and Ward, who’s a lockdown corner.
Against the Detroit Lions, Ward recorded his first interception of the season, which Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was pleased with.
“Like the interception that Denzel (Ward) had was a direct result of what the guys did up front,” Schwartz said. “Shelby (Harris) cracked a stunt up front. Quarterback had a guy in his face, he had to elevate the ball high. Denzel did a really good job in the coverage.
“We did overlap and were rewarded with a turnover,” Schwartz added. “So, it all really goes down to pass rush. And, even if you’re not sacking the quarterback, if you’re affecting the quarterback, making him throw before he wants to, or make him make errant throws, then it’s part of it goes. (Carson) Wentz has fumbled a lot in his career. We gotta be aggressive at the ball when we’re in the pocket there because there’s gonna be opportunities there.”
The Browns are set to play the Minnesota Vikings in England in Week 5.
Steelers Get Good News on Jaylen Warren Injury
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers had their best running game of the season in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, but it came with their backup running back taking over. After Jaylen Warren missed the game as a last-minute inactive, Kenneth Gainwell stepped in. That isn't expected to be the case in Week 6, though.
Warren was a surprise inactive against the Vikings after dealing with a knee injury throughout the week. He was limited in practice on some days but was expected to play after being listed as questionable heading into the weekend.
Warren's knee didn't feel right before kickoff, leading the Steelers to make him a scratch for their Dublin game. Instead, Gainwell took over and rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns.
"Jaylen was a pregame decision. That’s why we listed him as questionable," head coach Mike Tomlin explained after the game. "He worked out prior to the game. We just didn’t feel good enough. We didn’t want to put him in a uniform and then he wouldn’t be able to finish and then you’re working a guy short. So, we worked him out, and that’s where we settled. Jaylen is a tough guy. He wanted to do it. I just thought it was prudent not to."
Jaylen Warren Expected to Return
According to PennLive's Nick Farabaugh, though, Warren will be back. The starting running back is expected to return in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns when the Steelers take the field again after the Bye Week.
"Sources told PennLive Friday night that the team had a low concern level for Warrens injury, and expected him to play, but it would be more about how his knee would react to Saturday’s workload," Farabaugh wrote.
Warren's Play
Warren signed a three-year extension just before the season started, keeping him as their feature running back this season. So far, he's struggled, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry with 132 yards through three games. He has, however, led the team in receiving yards twice this year.
That's not all him, though. The offensive failed to impress in three of the four games this season, with their Vikings win being the best game they've had as a group. If that continues, Warren should have more success as the primary running back for Pittsburgh moving forward.
The Steelers want to establish the ground game and allow it to help the passing attack thrive. They look at both Warren and Gainwell as usable options and having Warren back after the Bye Week should give them an opportunity to put on an even better performance than they did in Week 4.
