ScoutIndex

CLE CLE

Denzel Ward

CB

Drafted 4th overall in the 1st round of the 2018 draft, Denzel Ward arrived from Ohio State. Now with CLE, he's in his 9th NFL season. His 55.8 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 67th percentile among DEFs — solidly above average.

Size

5'11", 190#

College

Ohio State

Draft

Rd 1, 4th overall (2018)

Seasons

2018–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
64.8

83th percentile among DEFs

6 games

Splash plays×0.15+2.21
Pass rush×0.3-0.59
Ball skills×0.25+1.72
Run defense×0.2-0.49
Availability×0.1+1.07

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026CLE64.86
2025CLE55.814
2024CLE67.316
2023CLE62.512
2022CLE65.814
2021CLE66.115
2020CLE69.712
2019CLE65.512
2018CLE70.813

Career profile

Across 9 NFL seasons on file, Denzel Ward has played in 114 regular-season games, all with CLE.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2018: a 70.8, in the 91st percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1JAX—56.2
Week 2TB—57.8
Week 3CAR—50.6
Week 4PIT—67
Week 5NYJ—42
Week 6BAL—56.4

Denzel Ward — common questions

What position does Denzel Ward play?
Denzel Ward is listed as a CB.
Which teams has Denzel Ward played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Denzel Ward has played for CLE (2018–2026).
Where did Denzel Ward go to college?
Denzel Ward played college football at Ohio State.
When was Denzel Ward drafted?
Denzel Ward was selected in round 1, 4th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Denzel Ward scored?
Denzel Ward has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Denzel Ward's ScoutIndex Rating?
Denzel Ward rated 64.8 for 2026, the 83rd percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 1, 2018

Also from Ohio State