It is not rare for a team’s first selection in any given NFL draft to have a chance to make an impact as a rookie. It is rare for a team’s first selection to come in the third round of the draft.
For the Cleveland Browns, drafting CB Martin Emerson after trading their first-round pick and trading down out of the second round was curious. At the time, the Browns had four quality players at his position including Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, both former first-round picks.
As Week 1 of the regular season rolls around, the other two quality players at Emerson’s position are not on the active roster. The Browns traded Troy Hill back to the Los Angeles Rams while Greedy Williams, a former second-round pick, just went on injured reserve.
What once looked like adding depth to an already deep position now looks like a prescient move.
Emerson will step into Williams’ place as Cleveland’s third cornerback which should lead him to plenty of playing time right away. If he plays well, Emerson will not be giving that role back even when Williams returns from injured reserve.
It is interesting that HC Kevin Stefanski named Emerson and not third-year pro A.J. Green as the team’s third corner:
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said MJ Emerson will take over with Greedy Williams being sidelined.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) September 9, 2022
Despite really good tape coming out of college and a pick-6 in the preseason, based on some recent data, it is likely that Emerson will get tested regularly in coverage.
Cleveland’s first selection, which came in the third round, will have a chance to make an impact in Week 1, not exactly what everyone thought when he was selected.
