Cleveland Browns’ Defense Could Be Led by ‘Secret Stud’ in 2024

The Cleveland Browns boast one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses, and it’s easy to see why.

With All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett a perennial NFL Defensive Player of The Year favorite, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a rising star at linebacker, and the secondary might be the deepest in the NFL, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has plenty of elite playmakers at his disposal.

Cleveland Browns’ ‘Secret Stud’ Revealed for 2024

As gifted as the Browns’ front seven is, one of the league’s hidden gems might be found in Cleveland’s secondary.

Cornerback Martin Emerson, 23, was named the Bronws’ ‘secret stud’ by NFL Media’s Gennaro Filice.

“On a recent episode of The Xs and Os podcast,” Filice writes. “NFL Films’ Greg Cosell and USA Today Sports’ Doug Farrar explored an increase in press coverage across the league. The defensive trend, which combats the quick passes that spring from RPO concepts, further underscores the talents of universally lauded cornerbacks like Sauce Gardner, Pat Surtain II and L’Jarius Sneed. But it also puts a deserved spotlight on Emerson, a key cog in Cleveland’s top-ranked total defense this past season.

“A third-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2022, Emerson has emerged as a press-man savant, thanks in large part to his pterodactyl wingspan. Standing a smidge under 6-foot-2, Emerson’s tall for a corner, but it’s his extraordinary arm length (33 1/2 inches) that really allows him to stymie receivers at the line of scrimmage and clog passing lanes down the field.”

Given his frame, and pedigree after holding opposing quarterbacks to a meager 45.3 passer rating and receivers to just 14.1 yards per reception, Emerson will likely be “hidden” no more in 2024.

If Emerson, who plays a premium position, continues to build on his recent success, the Browns’ defense has the potential to make major strides in 2024.