Christian Kirksey is one excited Cleveland Browns veteran. The fifth-year linebacker is the greybeard of the defense, and he loves what one of the rookie additions to the unit brings to the team.

Kirksey gushed about the skills and presence of cornerback Denzel Ward. The No. 4 overall pick from Ohio State has made a positive impression on Kirksey already. He talked about Ward during his appearance on NFL Total Access on the NFL Network this week.

“Just to see him on the practice field, he’s like a silent assassin,” Kirksey said of Ward. “He don’t (sic) say too much but when he’s on the field his play is loud. Him being a lockdown corner that I see, that will give Myles Garrett an extra step to the quarterback.”

The hosts got a little animated with “Kirko” describing Ward as a lockdown corner after only one minicamp so far, but Kirksey proved he’s confident in his young CB and stood his ground.

“When I see him I see a lockdown corner.”

Kirksey begins talking about Ward around the 3:00 mark in the above clip.