Denzel Ward, the consistent anchor of Cleveland’s formidable defense, has officially been excluded from ESPN’s Top 100 NFL Players list. This isn’t just a casual miss, folks; it’s the third time in his eight-season career that Ward has been left off this ranking, and it’s the second snub in just three seasons for a player who was ranked 74th last year. What gives with these lists, seriously?
The Snub That Stings For The Cornerback
Can we talk about what “snubbed” really means here? Ward isn’t some unproven rookie hoping to make a name. He’s been an integral cog in that Cleveland secondary since they drafted him back in 2018. He’s consistently shown up, locked down, and made plays. To be completely invisible to the staff at ESPN for the third time in eight seasons, especially after hitting 74th just last year, feels like a real gut punch for anyone who actually watches the games. This isn’t some one-off oversight; this is a pattern. While other major sports companies might release their own rankings, and missing one list isn’t “the end of the world” on paper, it still feels like a massive oversight for a player who contributes so much.
An Undeniable Force On A Top-Tier Defense
Let’s get into the facts that make this exclusion even wilder. The Cleveland Browns absolutely finished fourth in the entire NFL in total defense last season, allowing a measly 283.6 yards per game. Think about that for a second. That kind of consistent performance doesn’t happen by accident. This marks their second time finishing in the top five in total defense in just three seasons, and an incredible third time in the last five seasons. Who do you think has been a major component, a cornerstone, a key factor in those elite finishes? That’s right, Denzel Ward. His presence in that secondary is undeniable. You don’t rack up those kinds of defensive stats without your top players performing, and Ward has been exactly that, time and time again.
With an influx of talent on that side of the ball for 2026, another top-ranked defensive finish isn’t out of the question for Cleveland this season. Ward is expected to be a mainstay in that secondary, anchoring a unit that proves its worth on the field week after week. It’s safe to say that while ESPN’s list might have overlooked him, Denzel Ward and the Cleveland defense are ready to do their talking where it matters most: between the hash marks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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