NFL
2022 NFL Draft: Grades for Martin Emerson and Every Other Cleveland Browns Pick
Luke Norris began his sportswriting career in 2013 and joined Sportscasting in 2020. The former Section Editor of the NFL and Motorsports sections, he now spends his time here in the role of Senior Writer-Programmer. His well-rounded sports knowledge allows him to cover the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, boxing, WWE, and NASCAR for Sportscasting. Luke is an avid golfer who finds inspiration in the way sports can bring people together and provide a distraction from the real world. He hopes to provide a little entertainment or an escape from the real world with every article he writes, even if only for a few minutes. In addition to his work here at Sportscasting, Luke's work has appeared on The Sportster, Inquisitr, GiveMeSport, FanSided, Yahoo! Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated.
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The Cleveland Browns had quite an up-and-down 2021 NFL campaign. Following an opening-week loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, they won three games in a row but then lost two straight. They then alternated wins and losses for the next two months until a three-game losing streak derailed their season as the calendar turned to 2022.
In the end, Cleveland finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the 18th time in the past 19 seasons. But the Browns got after it during the free agency and trading period, replacing Baker Mayfield with Deshaun Watson and adding four-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper.
The Browns were initially scheduled to make their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they traded down and didn’t make their first selection until No. 68, where they took defensive back Martin Emerson. Cleveland then added an additional eight players, including kicker Cade York at No. 124.
2022 NFL Draft picks by Cleveland Browns
- No. 68 Overall: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
- No. 78 Overall: Alex Wright, DE, UAB
- No. 99 Overall: David Bell, WR, Purdue
- No. 108 Overall: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
- No. 124 Overall: Cade York, K, LSU
- No. 156 Overall: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
- No. 202 Overall: Mike Woods, WR, Oklahoma
- No. 223 Overall: Isaiah Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
- No. 246 Overall: Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech
No. 68 Overall: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
It might have been the smart move to trade down from No. 44, but I’m a little confused with this selection from the Browns. It’s not that Martin Emerson isn’t a solid player, but Cleveland is pretty set at the cornerback position. Maybe they’re drafting for someone else?
Grade: C
No. 78 Overall: Alex Wright, DE, UAB
Am I missing something with the Browns here? Did Bill Belichick come back to town or something? Because I see a fifth-round talent drafted in the third round in Alex Wright.
Grade: C-
No. 99 Overall: David Bell, WR, Purdue
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year and an All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore and junior, David Bell is the first logical pick for the Browns in this draft and a solid one. He obviously won’t be the primary target for Deshaun Watson, but he’ll at least draw some attention away from Amari Cooper.
Grade: B
Day 3 Picks
No. 108 Overall: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Winfrey is an excellent pick for the Browns at No. 108 and may end up being one of the big steals of this 2022 NFL Draft.
Grade: A
No. 124 Overall: Cade York, K, LSU
Look, I know the Browns have kicker issues. But taking one in the fourth round?
Grade: D
No. 156 Overall: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
Yet another pick I’m not understanding for Cleveland. Sure, Ford is a solid prospect and a good receiver out of the backfield, but the Browns didn’t need to take a running back.
Grade: C-
No. 202 Overall: Mike Woods, WR, Oklahoma
Despite getting into the 200s, there were still better receivers out there for the Browns than Mike Woods, who caught just 35 passes for 400 yards in 11 games in 2021.
Grade: C-
No. 223 Overall: Isaiah Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
This is a nice get for Cleveland this late in the game. Thomas had seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss for the Sooners in 2021.
Grade: B
No. 246 Overall: Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech
Never a bad idea to have some insurance at the center position, especially when you can get someone like Deaton this late.
Grade: B
Stats courtesy of Sports Reference
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