The Browns drafted cornerback Greg Newsome II late in the first round with the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The hope was a cornerback that could play off their other young cornerback at the time in Denzel Ward. Ward has turned into one of the best lockdown corners in the league. Newsome, meanwhile, is having his best season by far in his third season with the team.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II Having Best Season of Young Career
The Cleveland Browns defense has been historically great, and that is evident by the numbers. The eye test is just as impressive when you watch them play. They don’t give up big plays. Opposing offensive stars go under their average totals. Offensive lines struggle to give their playmakers time.
Much can be said about cornerback Greg Newsome II. The numbers have been impressive, yes, but watching the energy and pursuit he has is just as important for this defense. The Browns are 7-3, and Newsome has been healthy for eight of them. This has been a common theme with the secondary, who seems to have a new minor injury every week, if not multiple.
Greg Newsome with the Pick-6! #Browns pic.twitter.com/8rYxcyU79i
— Browns fan UK (@brownsfanuk) November 12, 2023
Cornerback Greg Newsome II has registered 25 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, half a sack, four passes defended, and one huge pick-six that helped the Browns make a fourth-quarter comeback a few weeks ago against the Baltimore Ravens. In 27 previous games over his first two seasons, he had 79 total tackles. He had not registered an interception until his clutch run back to give the Browns a huge win.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II in the Wildcat
Cornerback Greg Newsome II had a very similar tenure in college as he has had with the Browns. He played three years at Northwestern and had similar numbers his first two years. He didn’t record his first interception until Year 3, and he had nine passes defended for the Wildcats.
Newsome sprung onto the scene in six games as a freshman. He started four of the six games in which he appeared, missing the others due to injury. Injuries ended his second season with the team early, and his 2020 season was cut short due to the coronavirus. The shortened final season for him still led to 12 tackles, one interception, and 10 passes defended in the first six games.
He was named first-team All-Big Ten and a third-team AP All-American. Cornerback Greg Newsome II then suffered another injury in the Big Ten Championship. Additionally, he sat out his team’s bowl game due to preparing for the draft.
The Greg Newsome II talk got way outta hand last year and this offseason. And I think he's keeping receipts. pic.twitter.com/aaSDqOUAYX
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) September 12, 2023
He has a knack for following the ball, often coming out of nowhere to make tackles and force players in a new direction. He plays aggressively for his slightly smaller frame and is very vocal when making plays. There are a lot of similarities in his and Denzel Ward’s game. They are both ball hawks both on the ground and through the air. Both have been a huge part of the Browns defensive and team success in the 2023 season. If the Browns have Super Bowl aspirations, Newsome will be a huge part of helping them make plays to get there.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze – USA Today Sports
