Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Denzel Ward (Ohio St.) - 2018 NFL Draft Pick #4 by CLE

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Denzel Ward - 2018 NFL Draft

Player Profile:

• Name: Denzel Ward
• College: Ohio State
• Position: Cornerback
• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 183 lbs

Overview:

Denzel Ward was widely regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects entering the 2018 NFL Draft. His performance at Ohio State showcased his elite athleticism, ball skills, and coverage ability, making him a highly coveted player among NFL teams.

Strengths:

• Speed and Agility: Ward possesses exceptional speed (4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash), which allows him to keep up with fast receivers and defend against deep routes.
• Man Coverage Skills: His ability to mirror receivers in man-to-man coverage is outstanding, demonstrating quick footwork and fluid hips.
• Ball Skills: Ward has a knack for making plays on the ball, showing excellent timing and instincts to break up passes and create turnovers.
• Football IQ: He reads the game well and understands offensive schemes, helping him anticipate plays effectively.

Weaknesses:

• Size and Length: At 5'11", Ward lacks the ideal size for a cornerback, which could be a disadvantage against taller receivers.
• Run Support: While he is capable in run support, there are concerns about his physicality and willingness to tackle in the open field.

Overall Assessment:

Denzel Ward is viewed as a "lockdown" cornerback with the potential to become a key player in any NFL secondary. His combination of speed, agility, and instinctive playmaking makes him an asset in both man and zone coverage schemes. While his size may raise questions, his skill set puts him among the top cornerbacks in the draft class.

Projected Draft Position:

Ward was projected to be selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, with potential landing spots including teams in need of defensive help and looking to bolster their secondary.