How the Browns Can Fill the Void After Martin Emerson Jr.’s Achilles Injury

Next Men Up in Cleveland’s Secondary

The immediate plan is to promote from within. Greg Newsome, who has mostly manned the slot corner role, is sliding back to an outside boundary spot in Emerson’s absence. Newsome began his career on the outside before Emerson’s emergence pushed him inside, and he’s been vocal about his desire for another chance outside. Now he gets it by necessity, lining up opposite Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward with the first-team defense.

That leaves Newsome’s nickel/slot role open, and the Browns are auditioning young players there. Third-year corner Cameron Mitchell has been the first up, taking Newsome’s slot snaps with the starting defense in camp. A 2023 fifth-round pick (and Newsome’s college teammate at Northwestern), Mitchell has steadily developed in Cleveland’s system.

Coaches have spent a lot of time investing in Mitchell’s development, even if they hadn’t expected to throw him into a starting job this soon. In limited action last year (371 snaps), Mitchell was the first corner off the bench and showed solid tackling and ball skills, though he had typical young-player inconsistencies in coverage.

Behind Mitchell, depth is thin and unproven, which is why the team is scrambling to identify the best internal option. Second-year corner Myles Harden is another name to watch. A seventh-round pick in 2024 out of South Dakota, Harden surprised by making the 53-man roster and even saw defensive snaps late last season.

He’s an aggressive, high-IQ defender with experience in both man and zone, and the Browns view him as a potential steal who just needs more reps. However, Harden also has some knocks to his game, as he’s coming off a shin injury that cost him much of his rookie year and lacks top-end speed and length, which could limit him against elite receivers. Still, through a week of camp, he’s getting extended looks with the second-team defense.

Another dark horse is veteran Nik Needham, whom the Browns signed in April. Needham is a six-year veteran with 27 career starts in Miami and experience playing outside, nickel, and even some safety. He missed a lot of 2022 and 2023 recovering from an Achilles tear of his own, but by all accounts, he’s fully healed now and ready to take on the challenge of a complete season in whatever role is needed.

If Schwartz decides he’d rather not disrupt two positions (outside and slot) at once, one scenario could be keeping Newsome at nickel and sliding Needham into Emerson’s outside spot. That continuity in the slot might appeal to Schwartz, but it would require a lot of trust in Needham or Harden to hold up outside. So far, the team appears to be giving Mitchell first crack inside and moving Newsome out, but these configurations could evolve over the next few weeks of camp.

Depth Concerns and Rotations in Camp

Even before Emerson’s injury, cornerback depth was already a mild concern, but now it’s a glaring one. Ward and Newsome form a solid starting duo, but behind them the Browns have little NFL starting experience. Mitchell (age 23) and Harden (23) are still cutting their teeth, and Needham is coming off a long injury layoff. Veteran special-teamer Tony Brown II remains on the roster as well, though he’s been primarily a backup in his career.

A pair of 2025 undrafted rookies (Dom Jones and LaMareon James) are also in camp, but they project more as developmental pieces. It’s telling that Cleveland’s projected depth chart entering camp had Ward, Emerson, and Newsome as the top three, with Mitchell, Brown, and Harden on the second line and Needham on the third. Take Emerson out of that mix, and suddenly players who were penciled in for special teams and mop-up duty might be one snap away from regular defensive action.

Through the first week of practice, reporters noted the shuffle: Newsome sticking outside and Mitchell manning the slot with the starters, while Harden and Needham rotated in with the second unit. Defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch has been hands-on with the young corners, and head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized that the team will work through its options and that guys have to earn roles in the wake of Emerson’s injury.

In other words, the nickel competition is wide open. The Browns are likely to use the remaining camp practices and preseason games as a proving ground for Mitchell, Harden, Needham, and others. If none of them seize the job confidently, Cleveland will have to consider outside help.

Scouring the Market: Free Agent Targets

General Manager Andrew Berry is never one to leave a roster hole unaddressed. In fact, Berry just might want to reach out and sign a free agent cornerback given this sudden depth crisis. A few notable veterans remain on the open market, and the Browns have the cap flexibility to make a modest signing if needed. Here are a couple of realistic targets:

Asante Samuel Jr. (25 years old) – A talented former second-round pick, Samuel Jr. is surprisingly available. He played well for the Chargers early in his career but missed most of 2024 with an injury. The reason he’s unsigned is that he underwent neck surgery in April 2025 and only received medical clearance in late July. He’s a fluid cover man with ball skills, and at just 25, he could grow with Cleveland beyond this year. There’s some risk with the recent surgery, but his upside is as a reliable starting cornerback.

Rasul Douglas (29 years old) – Douglas is a familiar face for Jim Schwartz, having played under him for three seasons in Philadelphia. At 6’2”, 209 lbs, Douglas is a physical press corner who excels in zone and off-man schemes, which is exactly the kind of aggressive, instinctive defender Schwartz covets. His knowledge of the Schwartz system would make him a plug-and-play addition, and he can even hold up outside and allow Newsome to remain inside if the Browns prefer.

It’s worth noting that a couple of big-name cornerbacks are technically available as well: Stephon Gilmore (the 2019 NFL Defensive POY) and James Bradberry among them. However, those options seem less likely. Gilmore is 35 and nearing the end of the line, and Bradberry’s status is complicated (he was expected to re-sign with Philadelphia but hasn’t, and his price tag or desire to join a non-NFC contender is unclear).

The Browns probably lean younger and cheaper with any signing. That makes players like Samuel Jr. or Douglas far more realistic targets than an aging star with a championship-or-bust mindset.

Any Trade Options on the Horizon?

Finding a trade partner at this time is tricky, but not impossible. The Browns could monitor other teams with cornerback surpluses, especially once preseason games begin and roster shuffling accelerates. If the Browns go shopping on the trade market, two intriguing names stand out, as they are both young, on affordable contracts, and potentially available depending on roster dynamics elsewhere.

Ja’Quan McMillian (Denver Broncos, Age 25) – McMillian has carved out a solid niche as a nickel corner option for Denver over the past two seasons, starting 12 games. In 2024, he posted 81 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and a sack, showing versatility as a run defender and blitzer. He’s physical, aggressive, and profiles well in a Jim Schwartz scheme that values disruption from the slot.

So why would Denver trade him? Well, because the Broncos' cornerback room is suddenly loaded. Patrick Surtain II is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Riley Moss has taken a leap in camp, and the team used a first-round pick on Jahdae Barron, who is expected to be the starting nickel cornerback. Add in 2024 fourth-rounder Kris Abrams-Draine and young veteran Damarri Mathis, and McMillian could become a depth luxury the Broncos are willing to move.

With just one year left on a cheap ERFA deal, he’s an ideal target for a Day 3 pick swap or conditional deal if Cleveland wants a proven plug-in option behind Greg Newsome.

Deonte Banks (New York Giants, Age 24) – Entering his third NFL season, Banks is at a bit of a crossroads. The 2023 first-round pick has started 29 games across his first two years, but the results haven’t matched the draft pedigree. He posted PFF grades of 51.5 in 2023 and 50.9 in 2024, with inconsistency in man coverage and missed assignments in zone. New York hasn’t given up on him, however defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, now in his second season, is reportedly mixing in Cor’Dale Flott and rookies like Andru Phillips with the starters during camp.

If the Giants decide Banks isn’t the best schematic fit or want to shift reps toward their new crop of defensive backs, he could become quietly available. Still under contract through 2026, Banks would be a high-upside reclamation project for Cleveland. A long, athletic press corner who just needs more technical refinement. He fits Schwartz’s prototype and could thrive with a fresh start in a simplified man-heavy scheme.

Jim Schwartz’s Adjustments and 2025 Outlook

No matter which players ultimately fill the void, losing Emerson is a blow that will ripple through the Browns defense. This unit finished 19th in the NFL in yardage last season and was hoping to get back to 2023 numbers, where they ranked 1st in yards allowed.

Now, however, Schwartz is dealing with a lot of change: all three linebacker spots have new faces (including one unexpected retirement), at least one new defensive tackle and defensive end are in the mix, a new safety is being integrated... and now a starting cornerback is gone. That’s a significant amount of upheaval for one offseason.

Schwartz is known for his aggressive, D-line-driven scheme that often puts cornerbacks on islands in man coverage. With Emerson out, he may need to tweak the formula slightly, at least early in the season. Don’t expect the Browns to suddenly play passive zone all day, but we might see more split-safety looks or matchup zones to help whichever corner takes over the nickel role.

If it’s Mitchell or Harden, Schwartz could call more safety bracketing and leverage help against slot receivers until the young DB proves he can hold up one-on-one. If a savvy vet like Needham or a new signee steps in, Schwartz might feel comfortable sticking with his usual single-high man looks on critical downs.

One thing working in Cleveland’s favor is its potentially dominant pass rush. A ferocious front led by Myles Garrett can make life easier on defensive backs by speeding up opposing quarterbacks’ internal clocks. Schwartz will undoubtedly continue to lean into that strength, and dialing up more creative pressures or line stunts seems like a great idea to ensure the secondary isn’t asked to cover for extended periods.

With Mason Graham now in the fold, along with younger players like Michael Hall, Alex Wright, and Isaiah McGuire taking potential steps, the pass rush could be absolutely vicious. In essence, the Browns may compensate for a less experienced secondary by getting even more aggressive up front.

Additionally, we could see package personnel adjustments. For example, Schwartz could use more “big nickel” packages (three safeties) in certain situations if the third corner spot remains a trouble area. The team brought in veteran safeties like Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee this offseason for depth, and either could theoretically take some snaps in a hybrid slot/safety role if matchups dictate. It’s an option if none of the young corners inspire confidence early on.

Most Likely Path Forward

Ultimately, the Browns will probably take a multi-pronged approach. First, they’ll continue giving their young corners every opportunity in camp to grow into larger roles. The hope is that between Mitchell, Harden, and Needham, at least one proves to be a reliable defender by Week 1. Stefanski and Schwartz have expressed faith in their in-house options, with Stefanski noting guys have to earn roles and that this is what camp is for.

At the same time, Andrew Berry will be working the phones. The most likely acquisition is a free agent signing. Maybe someone like Asante Samuel Jr. if his medical reports are positive, or Rasul Douglas if the front office prioritizes scheme familiarity.

Don’t be surprised if one of those names is wearing orange and brown by the next couple of weeks. Berry has shown in the past that he won’t hesitate to add talent via free agency or modest trades to bolster a weakness. As a former defensive back himself, cornerback feels like a position he won’t leave to chance.

Looking into the crystal ball, an educated guess is that the Browns will sign a veteran corner before the regular season begins, likely on a shorter-term, prove-it deal. That veteran might not start Week 1 if an internal option has earned the cornerback spot, but he’ll be invaluable insurance. Given the current depth of this team at the moment, they’ll want more experience in that cornerback room one way or another.

In the meantime, the coaching staff will adjust the scheme to protect the secondary as needed, and players like Greg Newsome II will be expected to elevate their game. Newsome himself is treating this as a prime opportunity to prove he can be a lockdown outside corner, especially with free agency looming for him after the season.

If he rises to the challenge, and either an internal young gun or a veteran pick-up can solidify the nickel spot, the Browns defense can still be a formidable unit. It may take a few tweaks and perhaps a new face arriving in Berea, but Cleveland’s secondary can survive this setback. As Coach Schwartz would remind us: the NFL is a next-man-up league, and the Browns are about to find out which man is up for the challenge.