Denzel Ward

Last updated

Denzel Ward
Denzel Ward charity 2021 (cropped).jpg
Ward in 2021
No. 21 – Cleveland Browns
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1997-04-28) April 28, 1997 (age 27)
Macedonia, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Nordonia
(Macedonia, Ohio)
College: Ohio State (2015–2017)
NFL draft: 2018  / Round: 1 / Pick: 4
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:273
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:5
Pass deflections:76
Interceptions:15
Defensive touchdowns:4
Player stats at PFR

Denzel Nehemiah Ward (born April 28, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contents

Early years

Ward attended Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio. [1] He played cornerback and wide receiver for the Knights football team. He also played basketball and ran track. As a senior at the Division 1 region 1 finals, he ran a personal best time of 10.49 seconds in the 100 meters, placing 1st. His personal best in the 200 meters is 21.38 seconds, in which he placed third at the state championships. He committed to Ohio State University to play college football. [2]

College career

Ward attended and played college football at Ohio State under head coach Urban Meyer. [3] As a true freshman at Ohio State in 2015, Ward played in 12 games, recording seven tackles. [4] [5] As a sophomore in 2016, he played in all 13 games and had 23 tackles. Ward became a starter as a junior in 2017. [6] [7] Entering the 2018 NFL draft, Ward decided not to play in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. [8]

College statistics

Ohio State Buckeyes
YearGPTacklesInterceptions
TotalSoloAstSckSFTYPDefIntYdsAvgLngTDs
2015 117520.000000.00
2016 132312110.009000.000
2017 13373070.0015200.000
Total376747200.0024200.000
Source: OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Professional career

Pre-draft

On December 29, 2017, Ward released an official statement through his Twitter account announcing his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. Ward also decided to skip the Cotton Bowl Classic. [9] Ward attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed the majority of combine drills, but opted to skip the short shuttle and three-cone drill. His overall performance impressed scouts and helped solidify his position as the top cornerback prospect. Ward tied for first, among all players, in the 40-yard dash (4.32s) and his broad jump (11'4") was the best among all players, regardless of position. [10] He also tied for second in the vertical jump (39") among his position group and tied for eighth in the bench press (16 reps) among cornerbacks who participated. [11]

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Denzel Ward's NFL Combine Workout
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Denzel Ward's 40-yard dash

Ward attended pre-draft visits with multiple teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. [12] [13] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ward was projected to be a top ten pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the top cornerback prospect in the draft by Sports Illustrated and NFL analyst Mike Mayock and was ranked as the second best cornerback by DraftScout.com. [14] [15]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+78 in
(1.80 m)
183 lb
(83 kg)
31+14 in
(0.79 m)
8+34 in
(0.22 m)
4.32 s1.47 s2.48 s39 in
(0.99 m)
11 ft 4 in
(3.45 m)
16 reps
All values from NFL Combine [16] [17]
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Browns draft Denzel Ward 4th overall
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg NFL Draft Profile: Denzel Ward

2018

The Browns selected Ward in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. [18] Ward was the first defensive back drafted in 2018 and became the highest selected cornerback from Ohio State since Shawn Springs, who was selected third overall in the 1997 NFL draft. [19] On July 24, 2018, the Browns signed Ward to a fully guaranteed four-year, $29.16 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $19.29 million. [20] [21]

WArd in 2018 Denzel Ward (43775487861).jpg
WArd in 2018

Ward entered training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback on the depth chart after the departures of Jason McCourty and Jamar Taylor. Head coach Hue Jackson named Ward the starting cornerback to begin the regular season, alongside Terrance Mitchell. [22]

He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Browns' season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and recorded six combined tackles, broke up three passes, and made two interceptions during their 21–21 tie. Ward made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, that was originally intended for wide receiver Antonio Brown, in the first quarter. [23] On October 7, 2018, Ward recorded five combined tackles, tied his season-high of three pass deflections, made one interception, and a blocked field goal in a 12–9 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens. His performance earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. [24] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 53 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 13 games, of which he started 12. [25] He was named to the Pro Bowl and the NFL All-Rookie Team. [26] [27]

2019

In week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ward recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Andy Dalton and returned it for a 61 yard touchdown during the 27–19 win. [28]

2020

In Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, Ward recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Dak Prescott late in the fourth quarter to seal a 49–38 victory for the Browns. [29] In Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Ward recorded 4 pass deflections and an interception late in the fourth quarter off a pass thrown by Carson Wentz to help secure the 22–17 victory for the Browns. [30] Ward was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Browns on December 31, 2020, [31] and activated on January 13, 2021. [32]

2021

The Browns exercised Ward's fifth-year option on April 23, 2021, [33] which guarantees a salary of $13.29 million for the 2022 season. [34]

Ward had a very productive season for the Browns, posting 43 tackles, 10 pass deflections, while also having 3 interceptions, one being a pick-six against the Bengals in Week 9, which went for 99 yards. He was named to the 2022 Pro Bowl, his second selection of his career.

2022

On April 18, 2022, the Browns signed Ward to a five-year contract extension worth $100.5 million, with $71.25 million guaranteed. The extension made Ward the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. [35] In Week 13 Ward recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown against the Houston Texans. [36]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GGSCombTotalAstSackPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2018 CLE 13125341120.0113268.726012290
2019 CLE 1212443860.01126130.56110100
2020 CLE 1212463880.018200.0001000
2021 CLE 1515433490.510310334.39910000
2022 CLE 14145342110.015300.0000242
2023 CLE 1311343040.01122010.02001000
Total7976273223500.5761521014.099235332

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSackPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2020 CLE 113300.00000
2023 CLE 112200.01000.0000000
Career225500.01000.0000000

Awards

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References

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