2021 NFL Draft: The Cleveland Browns steal Greg Newsome II

With the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select… Greg Newsome II, cornerback, Northwestern.

With many needs on defense, and multiple defensive targets still on the board, the Cleveland Browns opt to add cornerback depth with Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern.

Cleveland Browns cornerbacks struggled mightily to stay on the field last season, and throughout their career. Former fourth overall pick, Denzel Ward, has yet to play all 16 games and Greedy Williams missed the entire 2020 season with nerve damage.

After losing a couple of veteran cornerbacks this offseason to free agency (Kevin Johnson and Terrance Mitchell) the Cleveland Browns needed to add some depth at such an important position. In order to keep up with the high-powered offenses and passing games in the AFC, they need a proper defense.

Newsome, like Ward and Williams, Newsome is extremely effective when on the field. While he has struggled with some injuries throughout his college career, he was as good as it gets on the football field.

Allowing no completions on third or fourth down when targeted at Northwestern, Newsome has a knack for staying with his receiver and a nose for the ball. He consistently ranked near the top of the Big Ten in pass break-ups and has the length and athleticism to carry that over to the next level.

Greg Newsome II has been battle-tested against some of the best wide receivers in the nation playing in the Big Ten. He stays glued in man coverage, has great instincts in zone, and has great closing speed and physicality at the catch point to prevent completions.

The Cleveland Browns could have gone in multiple different directions with the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but end up bringing in a talented player at a position of need.

They could have gone with a linebacker like Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, a defensive tackle in Alabama’s Christian Barmore, an edge rusher like Miami’s Gregory Rousseau or even a wide receiver like Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman.

Greg Newsome II was a force at Northwestern and the Cleveland Browns will likely rely on him to play a big role right away. While there is already a lot of raw talent in the Cleveland secondary, the more the merrier, and depth will be important for a 17 game (or hopefully more) season.