Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II was selected by the Cleveland Browns 26th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. With Newsome’s 4.3 speed and 6-foor-1 frame, he was one of the most versatile cornerbacks in the draft playing mostly Cover-3 and Cover-4, but able to keep up with the fastest receivers man-to-man as well. In the five games he played in 2020, he didn’t allow a single third-down completion (0-9). Newsome had an impressive 83.8 coverage grade from PFF (82.3 from Man Coverage and 85 from Zone Coverage) and allowed a 31.7 passer rating when targeted.
Throughout preseason with the Browns, Newsome’s versatility and comfort level from the outside to the inside has shown to be essential in Joe Woods’ defense. Last week, Woods mentioned how game-to-game he plans to play a matchup style defense; which can be the reason why Newsome’s adaptability lead him to be the starter the last few weeks. He is an aggressive player who can match-up outside and inside with his closing speed and high football IQ that can dictate an offense.
One thing we notice right off the bat about Newsome is his ability to read a play pre-snap and post-snap. As a rookie, Newsome remained composed as the Jaguars offense ran deep crossers to try and catch the corners off-balance.
Newsome was able to make a call to the other corner to make sure that he knew the receiver from the left side was coming his way. Communication like this, from a rookie, is something you love to see.
Right off the snap Newsome has shown the ability to stay in front of any receiver opposite of him. On this run play (below), it’s the receiver’s job is to try and sell a go-route but Newsome stays with him through his release.
What we like about this clip (above) is his ability to get immediate acceleration off the snap to get in front of his receiver making sure he wont be stacked, keeping his leverage.
When Newsome is getting worked through the receivers stem, he is able to stay step for step with receivers and maintain a very good speed and space; then in zone he keep his eyes down field reading the quarterbacks eyes so he can make his play on the ball.
The rook ended it early! 🔥#BrownsCamp | @gnewsii pic.twitter.com/XOtrf4K4Id
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 19, 2021
On this play in joint practices (above) the Browns needed a stop in order to end practice; Newsome stepped up for his team and picked off Daniel Jones. Its understandable that Newsome’s second position labels him as a free safety.
One area of his game that needs work is tackling in space. Against the Atlanta Falcons (first clip, below) Newsome was in zone and one his receiver motioned to the opposite side, he became free. Once he saw the running back got a handoff, he was free to make the play on the ball, even though it wasn’t pretty, he did his job and got his hand on the ball carrier.
When Newsome isn’t able to make a tackle in open space, he does everything he can to bring down a ball carrier. Whether that is getting his hand on the ball or a shoelace.
Against the Jaguars week one of preseason, he was matched up against Collin Johnson who stands at a massive 6 foot 6, but Newsome was not intimidated.
Getting off the block wasn’t actually accomplished, but he remained aggressive through the whistle. Against the Falcons (second clip, above) he was unable to get off the block but actually used the receiver to stop the ball carrier in order to remain in the play making the tackle. Now that is some ingenuity as a slender cornerback!
With the additions of safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill from the Rams in free agency, and (hopefully) the return of safety Grant Delpit from an Achilles tendon injury that cost Delpit his entire rookie season, the Browns are in a much better place to defend the pass than they were in 2020. Newsome looks to be a big part of that regenerated effort.