Breaking news: Giants moved to sign former Browns 1st-round pick in quest to upgrade CB.
Since no real starter has developed at the team’s CB2 position, the New York Giants’ secondary has become a cause for concern this summer. The Giants have had trouble locating a reliable No. 2 starting cornerback on the perimeter to start opposite Deonte Banks. Joe Schoen, the general manager, may have to think outside the box to find someone to bolster the position’s talent before the regular season begins.
The Giants restructured the deal of great left tackle Andrew Thomas, which freed up nearly $18 million in salary budget room. They should have the flexibility to add several talented cornerbacks in the upcoming weeks thanks to the additional cap room.
NFL teams are required to reduce their rosters to 53 men after the conclusion of the preseason. After cut day, the Giants might try to select a cornerback via the waiver wire. It seems improbable, though, that the G-Men would get a top-tier player as a result of such a deal. Alternatively, Big Blue can try to acquire a cornerback whose status with his present team is uncertain through a trade. Cleveland Browns player Greg Newsome II might be a good fit and a compelling trade candidate.
Would the Browns consider dealing wide receiver Greg Newsome II?
A player named Newsome has previously been mentioned in trade rumors. The Browns have CB Martin Emerson, a former third-round pick who had a solid 2023, and CB Denzel Ward on a big-money deal. Many have conjectured that Newsome might be the odd man out as a result of this.
The Browns did, however, exercise their right to pick up Newsome’s fifth-year option earlier in the offseason, which may suggest they intend to keep him on the team for a long time. Nevertheless, Cleveland might be inclined to trade for Newsome given his history of injuries and overall lack of output over the previous three seasons.
Earlier in the summer, the Browns put Newsome on the non-football-injured list. His hamstring ailment has kept him out of commission for a few weeks. The Browns may decide to trade Newsome if they want to move on from his recent absence from the starting lineup.
Would the Giants try to get Newsome through trade?
At barely 24 years old, Newsome was selected in the first round of the 2021 draft and is currently in his fourth season of professional football. Even though he was a former first-round pick, Newsome has nevertheless established himself as a reliable No. 2 cornerback for the Browns.
According to statistics, Newsome’s 2023 season was his best to date. When targeted in coverage, he gave up a career-high 58.2% completion rate (39 receptions on 67 targets) for 455 yards and two touchdowns along with a record-tying two interceptions. Due to his excellent play, Newsome received career-high grades of 74.6 PFF coverage and 69.6 overall Pro Football Focus.
With a career completion percentage of 61.3% in coverage and a coverage grade of 70.6 or higher in each of his three seasons, Newsome has proven to be a reliable cornerback in coverage.
