Meet Up! Get to know new Browns CB Myles Harden

Every draft GM Andrew Berry selects a defensive back 

The Cleveland Browns only had six draft picks in the 2023 NFL draft. With so few, GM Andrew Berry had to make certain he got value for his decisions.

A former cornerback himself, Berry has taken either a safety or a corner in all of his drafts. He is hell-bent on making certain the safety and cornerback rooms have talent and depth. So far, he has done an exceptional job.

Here’s the list: 2020 – S Grant Delpit; 2021 – CB Greg Newsome and S Richard LeCounte; 2022 – CB M.J. Emerson; and 2023 – CB Cam Mitchell. At present, all but LeCounte remain on the roster and are relied upon each game.

The 2024 addition to this list is cornerback Myles Harden (6’-0”, 200 pounds) of South Dakota.

RELATED: MYLES HARDEN PROFILE

Who exactly is the new guy? Why did the Browns draft yet another cornerback? What does he bring to the roster?

Beginnings

Harden was born and raised in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Miami Dolphins play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium which is located in Miami Gardens along with the team’s headquarters.

He went to Miramar High School where he played football and participated in track and field.

Harden competed in the 200-meter and 4×100 relays. His best time in the 200 was 24.16 and the 4×100 was 43.06 which remains the 13th-best time in Miramar High School history.

His best athletic skills were displayed on the football field. Harden made the varsity as a sophomore. This experience set up him to be named the starter as a junior and was chosen Honorable Mention All-County. He blossomed in his senior year where he led the team in interceptions with eight. At season’s end, he was selected First Team All-County and invited to participate in the annual Dade vs. Broward County All-Star Game and was an Honor Roll student.

His parents are Lanorris and Valeria Harden.

Harden’s college options were very limited. His only full-ride offer was from South Dakota where he studied kinesiology and sports management.

He played quite a bit as a freshman and made the FCS Freshman All-American Team and was chosen to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team. This was a COVID year and the school played only four games.

Harden injured his knee after playing just six games as a sophomore. The injury ended up being season-ending.

At the time, South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson told the Argus-Leader:

“He got hit (low). Kind of rolled up on. We’ve got three experienced players there and feel like we are in good shape. But Myles is always working. When you get him back there, that is our comfort level.”

In 2022, the story was the same. He played six games and injured the same leg which also ended his season. At the time of the injury, he was considered the best defensive player in the conference regardless of position. With only limited games, he still was named Second Team All-MVC.

He did rebound and have a decent senior season. For starters, Harden was elected the defensive team captain. He started all 13 games and was part of a secondary that finished 18^th nationally in passing yards allowed. Harden finished with 58 total tackles, seven pass defenses, one pick, and one fumble recovery.

At season’s end, he received a Reese’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl invite, was named First Team All-MVC, named a semifinalist for the National Comeback Player of the Year, and named to the AP Third Team All-American Team.

His Combine numbers:

40-yard dash: 4.5

10-yard split: 1.62

3-cone: 6.88

20-yard shuttle: 3.98

Vertical jump: 35.5”

Broad jump: 9’-10”

Bench press: 13 reps

What should Browns fans expect from Harden?

This is now a fact: Cleveland has an elite cornerback room. Denzel Ward is the resident Pro Bowler, M.J. Emerson is on the cusp of being named a Pro Bowl candidate, Greg Newsome is a former first-round draft pick, and the coaches are very happy with Cam Mitchell, a fifth-round pick last year. Also on the roster are Kahlef Hailassie, Justin Hardee, and special teams ace Tony Brown.

Harden is joining a very good room. He will compete for a backup position and is penciled in as the backup to Ward at left corner. He is a ball hawk. He did come from a lesser conference and a small school, so there is that. He has also been injured multiple times.

Harden has experience and is a productive player when he is healthy. He has missed a lot of games in college but has good size and length. He did start 28 games during four years at South Dakota. He is very good at run support. As far as pass coverage, Harden has the versatility to play from man and zone.

WHY HE COULD SUCCEED:

• Tapered build with good musculation throughout.
• Low cut with good bend and fluid change of direction.
• Good eye balance between quarterback and receiver.
• Excellent recognition of route development around him in zone.
• Ruins contested catches with elevated physicality into receivers.
• Hits and tackles like a safety, with good chest-up, and wrap-up finishes.

WHY HE COULD FAIL:

• Lacks ideal arm length to play outside.
• Struggled through injuries for the better part of 2021 and 2022.
• Has some issues playing with patience to match clever press release.
• Step up in competition will test him in man coverage.
• Average acceleration to close out separation at breakpoints.

ESPN analyst Field Yates thinks the Browns got an absolute bargain with the pick of Harden. Here is what Yates said:

“Harden was the 147th player on the board for me, so an 80-spot difference makes this a major value for Cleveland. He had a nose for the football in college, forcing four fumbles and picking off four passes over the past two seasons as a consistent disruptor.”

Harden has the capability to become a nickelback, slot, and potentially safety with his versatility.