Denzel Ward selected No. 4 overall by the Cleveland Browns

Former Ohio State standout cornerback Denzel Ward was selected No. 4 overall by the Cleveland Browns in Thursday night’s NFL Draft.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back was an All-American and All-Big Ten player in 2017 picking up where Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley left off. Lattimore, of course, went on to become the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Saints.

During his OSU career, Ward recorded 67 total tackles with two INTs. In 2017 alone as a starter, Ward posted 37 tackles, two INTs and 15 breakups, good for 10th overall in the country.

There’s little doubt that Ward should have an instant impact in the NFL and could become a Lattimore-type impact player. Ward has incredible footwork and gifted athletic ability.

Exiting high school, Ward was rated a 4-star prospect, and he was ranked as the nation’s No. 270 overall player, the No. 26 overall cornerback and the state of Ohio’s No. 10 overall player, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.