It has been a roller coaster for cornerback Greg Newsome II since being selected in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 NFL draft.
There were rumors after the 2022 season that Newsome wanted to be traded, but he quashed those rumors and suited up in 2023. He has gone back and forth between playing in the slot and outside, and that may have hurt him. Newsome has never lacked confidence, but his 2023 season was more bad than good, especially when he was asked to line up on the outside.
When talking about picking up his fifth-year option, you have to ask yourself if you want to extend him long-term. He gives up far too many big plays and is awful as a run defender with far too many missed tackles. Newsome isn’t an awful player, but he isn’t a player you want to pay more than $10 million per year.
In the end, the Browns will pick up his fifth-year option because you can never have enough corners, and he is still a good player even if he has not hit his highest level.
The deadline for the Browns to exercise Newsome’s fifth-year option is May 2.
