M.J. Emerson Jr.'s rookie season was far better than most rookie cornerbacks who waited to be drafted on Day 2.
Emerson participated in 72 percent of the team's defensive snaps. He had the lowest completion percentage allowed in coverage compared to all Browns cornerbacks with only 50.1 percent. He also had 15 passes defended, tying with Denzel Ward for the team lead.
Emerson, a third-round pick in 2022, was fantastic, and he wants to be even better now that he's had a full taste of the NFL.
"This offseason, I made a lot of goals for the team, but also for myself, and I was just working towards those goals," Emerson said. "I see a lot of improvement, but there's still a lot of improvements to get done."
Check out photos of the team during the third day of Training Camp
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The defensive line huddle during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Offensive lineman Luke Wypler (56) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Stump Mitchell during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. (80) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) and Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The defensive line huddle during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) and Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (10) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and Safety Grant Delpit (22) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Director of Administration Will Black during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Tight End Coach T.C. McCartney during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Offensive Assistant Jonathan Decoster during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Tight end Thomas Greaney (81) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Callie Brownson during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill (98) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (28) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill (98) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Jeremiah Martin (69) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Daylen Baldwin (87) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Ra'Shaun Henry (86) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Tight end Thomas Greaney (81) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Kicker Cade York (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (31) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Kicker Cade York (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
A flag during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Kicker Cade York (3) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Tanner McCalister (48) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58), Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99), Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93), Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) and Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Anderson during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (51) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safety Tanner McCalister (48) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The team during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
A butterfly during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Tight end Jordan Akins (84) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (51) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour (65) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Cornerback Chris Westry (49) and Cornerback Bopete Keyes (30) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) and Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Offensive guard Wes Martin (67) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
The Browns practice fields during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during Day 3 of Training Camp at The Greenbrier on July 27, 2023.
Emerson, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds, brought a strong and physical presence to the cornerback room. With Jim Schwartz as the Browns' new defensive coordinator, Emerson's size should give him even more opportunities to make plays as Schwartz's schemes heavily lean on more man coverage matchups
As a result, Emerson will have ample opportunities to demonstrate his strength, particularly at the line of scrimmage before a receiver has a chance to gain separation.
"I enjoy one-on-one matchups because it's just the coaches and your team," Emerson said. "They're trusting you to eliminate this guy. So that's what we live on. Cornerbacks — we want to eliminate our man and play fast. So, I love playing man-to-man. It's just me and you, and may the best man win."
Emerson is experiencing a greater sense of calm and feels that the game is slowing down for him compared to his rookie year. Last season, he gained confidence as opposing quarterbacks frequently tested his lack of NFL experience by throwing at him.
Perhaps those quarterbacks learned a lesson or two about how tough Emerson can be — he was no ordinary third-round cornerback.
And if they didn't, Emerson will keep welcoming the challenge.
"I'm a competitor, the ultimate competitor," he said. "I just want to do my part to help the team win, so doing my job is the main goal. I love when the quarterbacks target me."
