Martin Emerson a breakout candidate?

It seems like the Cleveland Browns got themselves a good player in Martin Emerson. Being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Emerson was able to impress at time as a rookie. So much that Pro Football Focus has named Emerson as part of their All-Breakout Team.

“With a crowded cornerback room featuring the likes of Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, Emerson had the highest defensive and coverage grades of the group at 72.5 and 75.1, respectively. In an AFC North that features receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and George Pickens, building on a strong rookie campaign from Emerson will help the Browns keep pace in a tough division.“

The obvious flaws of anything PFF does aside, the contributions of Martin Emerson last year were very valuable. Emerson allowed just over 50% of passes to be completed on 91 targets with 15 pass defenses in 72% of defensive snaps as a rookie.

As mentioned in the blurb from PFF”s Jim Wyman, Emerson will be counted on to help limit the productions from the top receivers in the division. Obviously it will be Cincinnati’s duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins which will give the Browns defense the most trouble, but Pittsburgh’s George Pickens is a player on the rise and new Ravens wideout Odell Beckham Jr. cannot be forgotten either.

If Cleveland’s defense is going to take the step forward that most expect, the secondary will have to play their part. That is in addition to the new look defensive front being more impactful than previous versions. The development of Emerson is essential for the Browns, but he is only cog in a much bigger machine that needs to operate in a highly effective manner.