The Chiefs and Ravens are among the three trade suitors for underrated cornerback, Greg Newsome this season. It’s fair to say the Browns will likely firesale many key players, including Newsome as the team may move on from Deshaun Watson. This means they’ll be without a leader if they decide to trade Watson which could indicate they’ll have nothing to play for this season. The team is already 1-4 so they’re closer to another rebuilding year rather than postseason contention.
A player like Newsome should find a new home with a roster that has a shot in the playoffs. The Browns could use Newsome as a valuable trade chip to build some draft capital as the 24-year-old is still at a premium position. Newsome is earning $13.4 million next season on his fifth-year option, instead, the Browns should use the money to get a couple of new players to build around. The franchise is facing a salary cap apocalypse if they don’t make any decisions to trade their key players like Newsome.
The Browns got Newsome in the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 26 overall pick and has been a full-time starter since. If Cleveland had another way to keep him, they would but they can’t afford him. It isn’t sensible to have high-profile players like Amari Cooper stay on the team if they’re not in a position to make postseason contention. Newsome’s best season comes from last year’s campaign, notching 49 tackles, 14 pass deflections and two interceptions.
He would be an underrated cornerback for any keep that needs extra firepower for a legitimate championship roster. However, the Ravens and Chiefs could be one of those teams to make it far so it might come down to these two teams but others are looking for cornerback help.
Chiefs, Ravens Among Trade Suitors For Underrated Cornerback Greg Newsome
Potential Trade Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams knew they had large shoes to fill this season. However, it’s been average at best for the young secondary as they lost L’Jarius Sneed this past offseason. McDuffie has yet to record a singular interception but has 13 solo tackles so far. It’ll take more from this defense to make a few momentum-shifting plays to give Patrick Mahomes more chances on offense.
Newsome is still young but he has a lot of hidden talent and the Chiefs could bring out the best in him. He isn’t a veteran or has experience but he’s easily the best cornerback that could mold himself into a new version of Sneed.
Baltimore Ravens
With Brandon Stephens a hot name for the Packers this upcoming offseason, the Ravens may have to start thinking how to replace him. The team could trade him since he hasn’t been replicating the same production as Marlon Humphrey. Baltimore would need to pay to keep Stephens since he’s on an expiring contract. The Ravens are probably better than a team than the Chiefs right now and it shouldn’t be surprising if they’re aggressive in trading for Newsome.
However, it may be hard considering divisional trades are rare but the Browns probably wouldn’t care as long as they get something reasonable in return. Newsome joining an already blockbuster defense could be dangerous for opposing offenses in the AFC. Baltimore’s offense is already solid but they want to ensure they win on the opposing side of the ball.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were already on life support in their secondary this season with Jaycee Horn being their reliable man. It only got worse after losing Shaq Thompson and Derrick Brown for the pass-rushing unit. It should be safe to say this team is better off rebuilding for 2025 ever since benching Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton. Newsome could be a stepping stone to finally get some shine and help Horn boost the productivity of the atrocious defense.
