Cleveland Browns adding a special-teams ace with ex-Falcon cornerback Mike Ford
The Browns are taking another chance on a depth piece for the secondary who should definitely help on special teams.
The team officially announced former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford has signed to a deal on Tuesday. The agreement was originally reported on Monday.
Ford, 27, himself hinted at the news, tweeting "Dawg Pound (dog emoji)" on Monday morning. It's a reported one-year, $2.25-million contract.
The former undrafted free agent out of Southeast Missouri State has played five seasons in the NFL for three different teams. Last year with the Falcons, though, was the first time he played a full season.
Ford started two of the 17 games in which he played for Atlanta, although he didn't play a snap at cornerback after Week 8. He had 15 combined tackles, seven solo stops and one tackle for loss.
Prior to Atlanta, Ford started his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, with whom he played 31 games with seven starts between 2018-20. He had 49 combined tackles, 44 solo stops and four passes defensed over those three seasons.
Ford spent the 2021 season with the Denver Broncos, playing in 13 games. He had six combined tackles, all solo.
In Cleveland, Ford should primarily be a special-teams contributor, although he could provide depth at cornerback. The top three cornerback spots are secured with Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr., while they have also brought back A.J. Green on a one-year deal and Thomas Graham Jr. on a exclusive-rights tender.
The place where Ford mostly likely would factor in the secondary is in the slot. Of his 83 defensive snaps last year in Atlanta, 50 were played as a slot corner.
Ford has 1,067 career snaps on special teams, compared to 635 on defense.
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns add secondary, special teams depth with Mike Ford
