Who Should I Start? MJ Emerson or Mario Goodrich

Wednesday, July 30, 11:19 AM

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed on Wednesday that cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (Achilles) will require surgery to repair his ruptured left Achilles and will miss the 2025 season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. It's a rough blow for the fourth-year corner, who will be a free agent at season's end. Emerson Jr. had only missed one game across his first three NFL seasons, racking up 62 solo tackles, four interceptions, and 34 passes defensed. He had been projected to be Cleveland's starting nickel corner heading into 2025. Without Emerson Jr., the Browns will likely turn to veterans Tony Brown II and Nik Needham to fill the hole in their secondary.

Wednesday, June 18, 7:29 PM

Zack Kelberman of Sports Illustrated reports that the Denver Broncos have signed former UFL defensive back Mario Goodrich to an undisclosed contract. In a corresponding move, the team waived defensive back Tanner McCalister. Goodrich initially got his start in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, but appeared in just four games over his two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, notching five tackles. The 25-year-old spent this most recent season with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions, registering 12 solo tackles, five pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. It's worth mentioning that the Clemson product was a standout during his time with the Tigers, garnering first-team All-ACC honors in 2021. He'll attempt to carve out a roster spot in a deep secondary.