As long-time Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward prepares to start his eighth NFL season, he still finds himself viewed as one of the NFL’s very best.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrapped up his annual positional top ten lists, compiled from polling the opinions of the league’s coaches, executives, and scouts, and the final installment ranking the NFL’s cornerbacks featured a pleasant surprise with Ward landing at No. 3.
The high ranking is a strong endorsement for Ward, as he ranked only behind reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was given a record-setting extension in March. Even as the Browns’ defense took a step back last season from the phenomenal highs the unit displayed in 2023, Ward maintained his usual high level of play and earned the fourth Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Here is what one NFL defensive coach had to say about Ward:
“Really good feet, smooth, comfortable with the ball in the air… he’s been good for a long time. Has God-given talent that you can’t really match.”
2025 marks the sixth straight year that Ward has ranked within the top ten of Fowler’s survey, a testament to how consistent the former fourth-overall pick has been for the Browns defense.