Should the Cleveland Browns pick up the fifth-year option on CB Greg Newsome II for the 2025 season?
Cleveland Browns will have an off-season full of decisions to make just like any other team in the NFL. One of those decisions will be whether or not they want to pick up the fifth-year option on CB Greg Newsome II. Newsome was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but his future could […]
Cleveland Browns will have an off-season full of decisions to make just like any other team in the NFL.
One of those decisions will be whether or not they want to pick up the fifth-year option on CB Greg Newsome II. Newsome was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but his future could be a bit cloudy.
After just finishing up his third season, Cleveland will have until May 2 to decide on what to do with the fifth-year.
What should the Browns do with Newsome?
Cleveland has three good cornerbacks and Newsome is right in that mix. In the NFL, it is not common to have three cornerbacks at the level that Cleveland does, so they do have that benefit. Though, I don’t think Newsome is in their top two.
Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. are best suited for outside play. For the last two seasons, the Browns have played Newsome primarily in the slot. Therefore, Newsome is not getting paid like an outside cornerback by Cleveland.
The Browns drafted Cameron Mitchell, who is actually a friend of Newsome to add depth in the slot. If he is a player who can eventually take over full-time, Cleveland has to think about trading Newsome.
There will be teams that would make a move for Newsome. He matches up well with twitchy wideouts and does have inside-out versatility. Eventually, the Browns will have to pay Emerson, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and other players. Sinking a pretty significant contract into Newsome doesn’t make a ton of sense. You have to save somewhere for cap space.
If the Browns could flip Newsome for a third-rounder, it’s a move they have to make for example.
Newsome recorded his first two interceptions in 2023, including one that went for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
A high-energy player who has bought into Cleveland, which hasn’t always been the case for the city that loves football so much. The plan here should be pretty easy though for the Browns. You pick up the fifth-year option, but look to trade him.
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It is smart to stack these kind of players.
