Martin Emerson
{{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Martin Emerson
| image = Martin Emerson (52340507131) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Emerson with the Cleveland Browns in 2022
| current_team = Cleveland Browns
| number = 1
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|27}}
| birth_place = Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 201
| high_school = Pine Forest (Pensacola)
| college = Mississippi State (2019–2021)
| draftyear = 2022
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 68
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2022}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek = 17
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 198
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 34
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 4
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| pfr = EmerMa00
}}
Martin "MJ" Emerson Jr. (born September 27, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Early life
Emerson grew up in Pensacola, Florida and attended Pine Forest High School.{{Cite web |last=Vilona, Bill |date=August 7, 2018 |title=In one move, Pine Forest's Martin Emerson propelled career into next level |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/2018/08/07/pine-forest-high-football-star-martin-emerson-thrives-after-change/925606002/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Pensacola News Journal}} As a senior, he had 91 tackles and two tackles for loss with four passes broken up, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=David |date=January 25, 2019 |title=The Canes are making an attempt to add a striker to recruiting class with official visit |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article225042525.html |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Miami Herald}} Emerson was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Mississippi State over offers from Miami, Oregon and Ole Miss.{{Cite web |last=Achatz, Brian |date=July 7, 2018 |title=Pine Forest's Emerson commits to Mississippi State |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2018/07/07/emerson-issues-verbal-commitment-mississippi-state-bound/765514002/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Pensacola News Journal}}
College career
Emerson played in all 13 of Mississippi State's games with five starts in his freshman season.{{Cite web |last=Achatz, Brian |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Martin Emerson primed to lead Mississippi State corners after All-America freshman season |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/2020/08/27/martin-emerson-cornerback-mississippi-state-pine-forest/3427634001/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Pensacola News Journal}} As a sophomore, he had 72 total tackles and Southeastern Conference-high 11 pass breakups.{{Cite magazine |last=Froyd, Crissy |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Mississippi State CB pinned as first-round pick in 2022 NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/college/mississippistate/football/mississippi-state-football-cornerback-martin-emerson-jr-2022-nfl-draft |access-date=October 13, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |last=Suss |first=Nick |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Mississippi State secondary could thrive behind talented CB duo of Martin Emerson, Emmanuel Forbes |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2021/08/18/mississippi-state-football-emmanuel-forbes-martin-emerson-mike-leach-secondary/8157074002/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} Pro Football Focus rated Emerson the seventh-best cornerback in coverage in the nation and named him an honorable mention All-American.{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Mississippi State Football's Emerson, Wally Earn National postseason accolades |url=https://www.picayuneitem.com/2020/12/mississippi-state-footballs-emerson-wally-earn-national-postseason-accolades/ |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Picayune Item}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report ranked Emerson 7th amongst all cornerback prospects in the draft (60th overall) and projected him to be selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.{{cite web| title=Martin Emerson NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Mississippi State CB|
url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10021313-martin-emerson-nfl-draft-2022-scouting-report-for-mississippi-state-cb| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=bleacherreport.com| author=Cory Giddings| date=March 25, 2022}} Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated and Thor Nystrom of NBC Sports ranked Emerson as the 11th best cornerback prospect in the draft.{{cite web| title=2022 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Cornerbacks|
url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/03/25/2022-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-cornerback| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=SI.com| author=Kevin Hanson| date=March 25, 2022}}{{cite web| title=2022 NFL Draft rankings: Cornerbacks|
url=https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/college-football/news/article-nfl-draft-analysis-2022-nfl-draft-rankings-cornerbacks| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=nbcsports.com| author=Thor Nystrom| date=April 26, 2022}} Scouts Inc. listed Emerson as the 16th best cornerback prospect (112th overall) on their big board.{{cite web| title=2022 NFL draft rankings: Scouts Inc.'s full board, grades|
url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2022/story/_/id/41035170/2022-nfl-draft-rankings-top-prospects-scouts-inc| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=ESPN| author=Scouts Inc.}} NFL.com media analyst Daniel Jeremiah listed Emerson 20th amongst all cornerbacks in the draft (125th overall).{{cite web| title=Daniel Jeremiah's top 150 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class|
url=https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-s-top-150-prospects-in-the-2022-nfl-draft-class| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=NFL| author=Daniel Jeremiah| date=April 25, 2022}} NFL media analyst Lance Zierlein projected him to be drafted in the third or fourth round.
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 5/8
| weight = 201
| dash = 4.52
| ten split = 1.59
| twenty split = 2.56
| shuttle = 4.14
| cone drill = 6.90
| vertical = 32.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 4
| bench = 17
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 10 1/8
| wonderlic =
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |title=Martin Emerson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mj-emerson/3200454d-4540-4215-97fb-3728b8869883 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2022 Draft Scout Martin Emerson, Mississippi State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1030795&DraftYear=2022 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=2022=
The Cleveland Browns selected Emerson in the third round (68th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Poisal |first=Anthony |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Browns select CB Martin Emerson with No. 68 pick in 2022 NFL Draft |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-select-cb-martin-emerson-with-no-68-pick-in-2022-nfl-draft |access-date=February 15, 2023 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} The Browns received this pick in a trade with the Houston Texans where they agreed to send their 2022 third- (68th overall) and two fourth-round selections (108th and 124th overall) in return for a third round pick (44th overall). He was the tenth cornerback drafted. The following day, the Browns traded cornerback Troy Hill to the Los Angeles Rams.
{{external media
| video1 =
[https://www.nfl.com/videos/browns-select-martin-emerson-with-no-68-pick-in-2022-draft Browns select Martin Emerson No. 68]
| video2 =
[https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/video/martin-emerson-hears-from-andrew-berry-and-kevin-stefanski Martin Emerson heard from the Browns]
}}
{{quote box
|align=right
|width=50%
|quote="We do not strictly look at how many interceptions he had or how many pass breakups he had only, but you look at the full body of work, how he goes about covering, utilizing his instincts and all of the different components to being a DB."
|source=–Glenn Cook (Browns' VP of Player Personnel)
}}
On May 12, 2022, the Cleveland Browns signed Emerson to a four–year, $5.41 million rookie contract that includes an initial signing bonus of $1.15 million.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Martin Emerson contract| url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/76944/martin-emerson |access-date=March 1, 2025| website=Spotrac.com}}
Throughout training camp, he competed to be the third cornerback on the depth chart against A. J. Green and Greedy Williams. Following the departure of Troy Hill, defensive coordinator Joe Woods was tasked with replacing Hill at slot cornerback. In nickel packages, requiring five defensive backs, Woods elected to move No. 2 starting cornerback Greg Newsome II to cover the slot with Emerson replacing him at his usual position as an outside cornerback.{{cite web|title=Why the Browns value Martin Emerson Jr.'s length at cornerback| url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/why-the-browns-value-martin-emerson-jr-s-length-at-cornerback|access-date=March 1, 2025| website=clevelandbrowns.com| date=May 18, 2022| author=Anthony Poisal}} Head coach Kevin Stefanski named Emerson the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind starting cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II.{{cite web| title=Browns initial 53-man roster 2022: Position-by-position analysis| url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-initial-53-man-roster-2022-position-by-position-analysis |access-date=January 17, 2025 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |date=August 30, 2022}}
On September 11, 2022, Emerson made his professional regular season debut during the Cleveland Browns' season–opener at the Carolina Panthers and recorded five combined tackles (four solo) in their 26–24 victory. In Week 6, Emerson earned his first career start after Denzel Ward sustained a concussion against the Los Angeles Chargers the previous week. He recorded six solo tackles and two pass deflections during a 15–38 loss to the New England Patriots. The following week, he recorded four solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Lamar Jackson for a seven–yard loss during a 20–23 loss at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.{{cite web| title=Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - October 23rd, 2022| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202210230rav.htm| access-date=January 17, 2025 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On October 31, 2022, he set a season-high with nine combined tackles (six solo) and made two pass deflections as the Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 32–13. In Week 12, Emerson recorded four combined tackles (three solo) and set a season-high with four pass deflections during a 23–17 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his rookie season in 2022 with a total of 63 combined tackles (51 solo), 15 pass deflections, and one sack in 17 games and six starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Martin Emerson Career Overview| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmerMa00.htm |access-date=May 3, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He received an overall grade of 72.5 from Pro Football Focus as a rookie in 2022.
=2023=
On January 18, 2023, the Cleveland Browns hired Jim Schwartz to be their new defensive coordinator after firing Joe Woods the previous week. He returned to training camp slated as a backup.{{cite web| title=Cornerback Analysis: Looking at the Browns Cornerbacks and The Greetham Angle's Expectations in 2023| url=https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/Cornerback-Analysis-Looking-at-the-Browns-Cornerbacks-and-The-Gr-212514590/| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=247sports.com| date=July 10, 2023| author=Fred Greetham}} Head coach Kevin Stefanski listed him as the No. 3 cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind starters Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome.{{cite web|title=Browns announce unofficial depth chart for Bengals season opener| url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-announce-unofficial-depth-chart-for-bengals-season-opener| access-date=March 1, 2025| website=clevelandbrowns.com| date=September 5, 2023}}
On October 15, 2023, Emerson recorded six solo tackles, made two pass deflections, and had his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown by Brock Purdy to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as the Browns won 19–17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Beginning in Week 9, Emerson started nine consecutive games, including six games in nickel packages and three games as an outside corner in the absence of Denzel Ward who injured his shoulder. In Week 10, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo) during a 33–31 victory at the Baltimore Ravens. On December 10, 2023, Emerson made four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off pass attempts thrown by Trevor Lawrence as the Browns defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 31–27.{{cite web| title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns - December 10th, 2023| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202312100cle.htm| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}} He was inactive as a healthy scratch in Week 18 as head coach Kevin Stefanski chose to rest as many starters as possible in preparation for the playoffs. He finished the season with 59 combined tackles (45 solo), 14 pass deflections, and a career-high four interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts. He received an overall grade of 65.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2023.{{cite web| title=Cleveland Browns 2024 NFL Season Preview| url=https://footballfanspot.com/2024/07/17/cleveland-browns-2024-nfl-season-preview/| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=footballfanspot.com}}
The Cleveland Browns completed the 2023 NFL season with a second place finish in the AFC North with an 11–7 record to clinch a Wild-Card berth. On January 13, 2024, Emerson started in his first career playoff game, earning the starting role over Greg Newsome, and made two solo tackles as the Browns lost 14–45 at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild-Card Game.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Martin Emerson Game Logs (2023)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmerMa00.htm |access-date=May 3, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
=2024=
Throughout training camp, he battled Greg Newsome II for the role as the No. 2 starting cornerback. Head coach Kevin Stefanski named him the No. 2 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Denzel Ward. On September 8, 2024, Emerson started in the Cleveland Browns' home-opener against the Dallas Cowboys and set a season-high with eight combined tackles (five solo) and made one pass deflection as they lost 17–33. In Week 7, he recorded six combined tackles (five solo) and set a season-high with two pass deflections during a 16–20 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Martin Emerson Game Logs (2024)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmerMa00.htm |access-date=May 3, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He finished the 2024 NFL season with a career-high 82 combined tackles (62 solo) and had five pass deflections, while appearing in all 17 games with 15 starts. The two games Emerson was not credited with a start was due to the Browns beginning the game with a 4–4–3 defense that only necessitated one cornerback. He received an overall grade of 47.9 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 194th amongst 222 qualifying cornerbacks in 2024.{{cite web| title=Pro Football Focus: Martin Emerson| url=https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/martin-emerson/97872| access-date=May 3, 2025| website=PFF.com}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Year
! rowspan="2"|Team ! colspan="2"|Games ! colspan="4"|Tackles ! colspan="6"|Interceptions ! colspan="4" |Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sack | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD |
| 2022 | CLE
| 17 || 6 || 63 || 51 || 12 || 1.0 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | CLE
| 16 || 12 || 59 || 45 || 14 || 0.0 || 14 || 4 || 24 || 6.0 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EmerMa00.htm Total] || 33 || 18 || 122 || 96 || 26 || 1.0 || 29 || 4 || 24 || 6.0 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- [https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/players-roster/martin-emerson/ Cleveland Browns bio]
- [https://hailstate.com/sports/football/roster/martin-emerson/6429 Mississippi State Bulldogs bio]
{{Browns2022DraftPicks}}
{{Cleveland Browns roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emerson, Martin}}
Category:Players of American football from Pensacola, Florida
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Mississippi State Bulldogs football players