Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome II the spark secondary needs

Cleveland Browns first-round pick Greg Newsome II is already impressing those around offseason workouts and could provide a necessary spark. 

Suffice it to say that Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry identified the team’s secondary as an area that needed to improve entering the 2021 NFL season. Not only did the team spend heftily on two of the top defensive backs in free agency, John Johnson III and Troy Hill, but they then used their first-round pick on Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern.

It figures why Berry put such a focus on the secondary. While Denzel Ward has been good when on the field, highlighted by the 23rd-best grade at cornerback from PFF (subscription required) last season, he has dealt with a number of injuries already in his career. The same is true of Greedy Williams and the rest of the roster hasn’t performed well when called upon.

While Hill will help in the slot, the CB2 spot opposite Ward is a different story. The Browns certainly hope Williams can take some snaps there. However, Newsome coming in right away and performing at a high level would be a substantial asset for the defense. And thus far, he’s delivering on what’s likely expected of him as a first-round pick.

Greg Newsome II already looks like exactly what the Cleveland Browns defense needs.

Not only Newsome was listed by Cleveland.com as one of the best performers of the offseason, but he’s getting big praise elsewhere as well. ESPN NFL Nation’s Jake Trotter (subscription required) said the rookie cornerback showed signs of being a “difference-maker” for the Browns on defense.

Coming out of Northwestern, Newsome headlined the second tier of corners after Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn in the 2021 draft class. While he didn’t have the upside the others were considered to, his floor is as high if not higher with a ceiling not far below theirs. He’s able to line up in multiple sets and succeed with good athleticism, a strong frame and a high football IQ.

By all accounts, that’s what the Browns are seeing in offseason work. Newsome working either as the starter on the outside over Williams or in tandem with the former second-round pick in a rotation is huge for Cleveland. It makes injuries less devastating and keeps bodies fresh. That’s something that wouldn’t be afforded them if Newsome wasn’t ready to see the field right off the bat.

Every rookie is going to experience some growing pains, a universal truth that’s even more apt when it comes to cornerbacks. Having said that, Newsome is showing far more positive signs than negative at this point. And if he can come in and be an immediate impact player, the Browns defense is going to start to look a whole lot more dangerous and more like that of a contending team.