Tag: Greg Newsome II

Greg Newsome II raves about Anthony Walker

The Browns top draft pick has the “best big brother” in the Browns free-agent addition at linebacker.

The Cleveland Browns have high hopes for the upcoming season with a good variety of veteran players and young guys. Greg Newsome II was the team’s top pick in the 2021 NFL draft while Anthony Walker was brought in for his veteran presence as well as play on the field.

For Newsome, stepping into a team with lofty goals can be overwhelming. Add that to the normal adjustments to the NFL and all that comes with it and it is clear why veteran leadership can be important.

For Newsome, he has found that leadership in Walker. While the two play different positions, the veteran linebacker has been a daily support for the rookie cornerback. Newsome even categorized Walker as a big brother:

 

That shouldn’t come as a surprise as Walker’s leadership has impressed many including his former All-Pro teammate Darius Leonard:

 

For the Browns to reach their lofty goals, Newsome will have to adjust to the NFL quickly and Walker will need to play a big role at linebacker. For now, as training camp kicks off, Walker is playing a big role in Newsome’s life to prepare him to help Cleveland as quickly as possible.

Browns sign Greg Newsome II and Anthony Schwartz

The Browns rookie class is now all signed and ready to go for training camp in a few days.

The Cleveland Browns have finalized signing their NFL draft class as Greg Newsome II and Anthony Schwartz have signed their rookie deals.

Newsome, the team’s first-round pick, was one of four picks from the opening stanza that were unsigned. Now only Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Rashawn Slater remain unsigned.

The Northwestern cornerback is expected to compete with Greedy Williams and Troy Hill for playing time alongside Denzel Ward. Hill, a free agent addition, is likely to man the slot corner role primarily while Williams just recently finished physical therapy and returns after missing all of last year.

Adam Schefter first reported the Newsome signing:

 

Schwartz was the team’s third-round pick and is expected to compete for time in a deep receiver room. With his top-end speed, Schwartz can help the Browns offense to spread the field while also competing to be the team’s return specialist.

There remain a few second and third-round picks who have not signed their rookie contracts with Tre McKitty, selected six picks after Schwartz, as the lowest drafted player unsigned.

Brad Stainbrook first reported the Schwartz signing:

 

With training camp opening in a few days, Cleveland is now fully stocked to compete in the competitive AFC North and the highly competitive AFC for the right to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

Greg Newsome II always focused on being the “best” on the field

It looks like one word describes how the Browns top draft pick thinks: Best.

The Cleveland Browns selected cornerback Greg Newsome II with the 26th pick in the first round of the NFL draft but he is focused on being the best. While Newsome was the fourth cornerback selected he is undeterred by his goals.

In Cleveland, Newsome will have to fight for playing time in a revamped secondary. Denzel Ward leads the way while Troy Hill was added to the cornerback room with his ability to play inside and out. That leaves Greedy Williams and Newsome to battle it out for the third cornerback spot, likely starting outside across from Ward.

Not only does Newsome have to compete with the other corners for playing time but the Browns plan to play three safeties and have talented linebackers as well that could fight for roles in coverage.

John Johnson III was added via free agency while Grant Delpit returns from missing his rookie year to join Ronnie Harrison as a very talented triumvirate of safeties. Anthony Walker and fellow rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could also make snaps more difficult to find for Newsome.

For Newsome, it has always been about being the best on the field. In a deep dive into his football history on the team site, the word “best” was used by him multiple times:

“I just wanted to be challenged,” Newsome said. “In Illinois, I had my spot solidified. At IMG, it made me compete even more. It allowed me to compete with the best of the best, and I just wanted to be the best player I could be going into college all the way.”

“(My confidence) comes from my skills,” he said. “It’s just something I’ve developed over the years, just always believing I’m the best whenever you step onto the field.

This isn’t the case of arrogance or bravado but instead a goal and a mindset. Newsome is well aware that he has earned nothing at the pro level despite being drafted in the first round:

“I know a lot of first-round picks in the past feel like they’ve made it,” he said. “I don’t feel like I’ve made anything yet.”

The Browns rookie will get every chance to prove how great he can be as a rookie but the team has goals this season beyond watching the young guys develop. Newsome, Owusu-Koramoah and the rest of the Browns young guys will only get snaps that they have earned.

Cleveland’s top pick would bet on himself being the best for the job and working hard to prove it.

Two Browns draft picks remained unsigned a month before camp starts

The Cleveland Browns 2021 offseason has been mostly drama-less and expectations are that will continue. One note to keep an eye on, two of their draft picks have not signed their contracts yet.

The Cleveland Browns offseason has been full of a lot of excitement and positivity. Two lingering pieces, that are bound to get fixed, are having two of their 2021 NFL draft picks still unsigned with a month to go until camp.

First-round pick Greg Newsome II and third-round pick Anthony Schwartz are the lone two pick unsigned from the Browns class. Their remaining draft picks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Tommy Togiai, James Hudson III, Tony Fields II, Richard LeCounte III and Demtric Felton have signed their rookie deals.

The Browns have also signed a few undrafted free agents with Marvin Wilson, once thought to be one of the top interior defensive linemen in the draft, leading the way.

Newsome switched agents after being drafted and is now represented by Drew Rosenhaus. Schwartz also has a big-name agent, Joel Segal.

According to Spotrac, there are nine first-round picks that have not signed yet, including Newsome who is the lowest drafted of the nine. The top four picks are unsigned as well as picks 13, 14, 15, 25 and Newsome at 26.

Less than half of the third-round picks have signed their contracts at this time. Fellow receiver Nico Collins, drafted two picks ahead of Schwartz, has signed his deal already which should help clear up any negotiating points from the team or player side.

With the new collective bargaining agreement, rookie holdouts are very rare. Total contract value and length are already decided with only a few details being negotiable for teams.

Both Newsome and Schwartz were present and participated in offseason activities so far so there is no sign of problems that should be cause for concern. Instead, just something to note as we anxiously await the start of 2021 training camp.

Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah bring “different element” to Browns

The Cleveland Browns believe they got two first-round picks with cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The team is very excited about what the two will bring to their defense.

The Cleveland Browns believe they got two first-round picks with cornerback Greg Newsome II and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The team is very excited about what the two will bring to their defense.

While the Browns have added a lot of talent to their defense, it is the presence of the two high draft picks that have defensive coordinator Joe Woods excited. The front office has given Woods a lot to work with going into 2021 after spending much of their first season together putting resources mostly toward the offensive side of the ball.

This offseason, the defensive makeover includes the additions of Jadeveon Clowney, Takk McKinley, Malik Jackson, Anthony Walker, Troy Hill and John Johnson III in free agency. In the NFL draft, Newsome and Owusu-Koramoah were joined by Tommy Togiai, Tony Fields II and Richard LeCounte III.

The defense also gets Andrew Billings back from the COVID-19 opt-out list and Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit return from missing 2020 due to injuries.

“They just bring a different element to the team,” he said. “It’s been good having both of those guys involved.”

The “different element” that Woods described is fitting for the pair of rookies. Newsome has a little more size than Denzel Ward and Hill at cornerback and more speed and quickness than Williams. Like Hill, Newsome has excited coaches that he can play inside and out.

Owusu-Koramoah has the speed to match up in coverage with running backs and tight ends, as described in the piece, but has shown enough power to still be effective in the running game.

Relying on rookies to be season-long game-changers isn’t generally a good idea. With all of the additions, and returns, for the Cleveland defense, the Browns won’t have to. Instead, Newsome and Owusu-Koramoah can be utilized to their strengths and minimize areas where their youth creates weaknesses.

Having access to “a different element” from those two rookies could give Cleveland the kind of depth needed to sustain a long run to the Super Bowl in 2021 and beyond.

Every Big Ten player drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft

Although Wisconsin football went for its fourth consecutive season without a Badger being drafted in the first round, several notable players from around the Big Ten were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including Michigan defensive end …

Although Wisconsin football went for its fourth consecutive season without a Badger being drafted in the first round, several notable players from around the Big Ten were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.

The first prospect to come off the board for Wisconsin will likely be cornerback Rachad Wildgoose, who was predicted to go in the third round by PFF’s mock draft.

Players from Ohio State, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State and Minnesota were drafted in the first round of the NFL draft.

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Why Browns fans should be excited about Greg Newsome II

Breaking down the Cleveland Browns’ selection of Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II in the 2021 NFL draft

With the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns added Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II to their secondary.

Newsome played in just four games in 2020, but he dominated to the tune of 9 pass deflections and an interception in that time. He has more deflections in his collegiate career than games played – 24 to 18, respectively – which showcases just how productive he was when healthy.

He has fantastic route-recognition abilities and is able to mirror routes with a high football IQ and impressive hip fluidity. The former Wildcat is physical at the catch point and uses his length well in getting his hands inside the frame of opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

The Browns have Pro Bowler Denzel Ward at cornerback already, but they lacked a consistent option alongside him on the boundary. Newsome gives them a well-rounded, high-ceiling prospect to form what could be one of the more talented one-two punches at the position in the NFL.

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Why Browns fans should be excited about Greg Newsome II

Breaking down the Cleveland Browns’ selection of Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II in the 2021 NFL draft

With the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns added Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II to their secondary.

Newsome played in just four games in 2020, but he dominated to the tune of 9 pass deflections and an interception in that time. He has more deflections in his collegiate career than games played – 24 to 18, respectively – which showcases just how productive he was when healthy.

He has fantastic route-recognition abilities and is able to mirror routes with a high football IQ and impressive hip fluidity. The former Wildcat is physical at the catch point and uses his length well in getting his hands inside the frame of opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

The Browns have Pro Bowler Denzel Ward at cornerback already, but they lacked a consistent option alongside him on the boundary. Newsome gives them a well-rounded, high-ceiling prospect to form what could be one of the more talented one-two punches at the position in the NFL.

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2021 NFL draft: Kiper, McShay release final mocks, including a Jets trade

In Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.’s final mock draft, the analysts both have the Jets selecting Zach Wilson, while differing at No. 23.

It’s draft day.

Naturally, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. are out with their final projections for this weekend’s event. The two ESPN draft analysts agree upon New York’s No. 2 pick, as Zach Wilson has been the expected selection since the Jets parted ways with Sam Darnold earlier this month.

Here’s McShay’s explanation for pairing Wilson with Gang Green:

The Jets chose to move on from Sam Darnold earlier this month, and Wilson would provide them with an excellent replacement as a QB who can read the defense, make all the throws and create when pushed out of the pocket. But like the Jags, the Jets need to continue building on offense with five total picks on Days 1 and 2.

While McShay indicates that the Jets need to keep building on offense with the remainder of their high draft choices, he pairs New York with Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II to round out Gang Green’s first round.

Here’s his explanation for New York’s second first-round selection:

The Jets might look at offensive line here, but Newsome would give their defense a spark with his speed, versatility and strong press coverage. The Jets had the third-worst completion percentage allowed last season (69.1%), so the picks can’t all go to the offense.

As for Kiper, he has the Jets trading up to select an offensive lineman. He projects that New York will strike a trade with Arizona, moving up to No. 16 to select USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker.

According to the NFL draft pick value chart, the 16th pick is worth 1,000 points, while the 23rd pick is worth 760. That means New York would likely have to come up with 240 points in additional draft compensation.

New York’s third-round pick (No. 66) is worth 260 points, so that would be more than enough for Gang Green to move up seven spots to select Vera-Tucker, who has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level.

Last week, Joe Douglas indicated that the Jets have laid the “groundwork” on moving up if a player they covet becomes available.

While New York can obviously go any which way with its second first-round pick, both Newsome and Vera-Tucker are names that have been linked to the Jets.

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7 potential surprise picks for the Cardinals in the 1st round of the draft

Arizona Cardinals fans are no strangers to draft day surprises. Here are a few players that they could take in 2021 that could surprise.

The NFL draft is full of surprises, especially when it comes to being an Arizona Cardinals fan. Whether it was taking Levi Brown over Adrian Peterson, trading back instead of taking Terrell Suggs or more recently, taking Hasaan Reddick in the first round, Arizona fans are no strangers to surprises in Round 1.

Here are a few players that could be surprise picks, whether it be at pick 16 with how the players come off the board, or maybe in the 20s, should they make a trade back.