Summary

Greg Newsome II was selected in the 1st Round (#26 Overall) in the 2021 Draft out of Northwestern. A two-year starter in the Big Ten, Newsome emerged as one of the nation’s top cover corners, allowing just one touchdown reception across his final two college seasons. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors (2020) and was widely regarded for his technical refinement and coverage instincts. Since entering the NFL, Newsome has been a multi-year starter and primary slot/outside corner for Cleveland, totaling 200+ tackles, 35+ passes defended, and multiple interceptions through his first four seasons. While he has not yet earned Pro Bowl recognition, he has consistently graded as one of the league’s more dependable coverage corners. Newsome is known for his professional demeanor, high football IQ, and disciplined approach, earning trust from coaching staffs as a reliable, assignment-sound defender.

Strengths

• Man Coverage Technique: Newsome’s smooth footwork, controlled transitions, and patient hands allow him to stay in phase against quality route runners, and it has taken him some time to get used to the Jaguars’ zone scheme since his midseason trade in 2025.

• Football IQ & Route Recognition: As a Northwestern grad, Newsome anticipates breaks well after diagnosing stems and combinations quickly..

• Ball Skills: Consistently gets hands on the football and has output strong pass breakup production even when not targeted heavily. Newsome rarely panics at the catch point; plays with controlled aggression and limits penalties.

• Selfless Mentality: When Newsome got benched vs. Arizona in 2025, he asked the Jaguars Special Teams Coordinator if he could help out as a gunner to take some load off of his replacement, despite never playing special teams in his life.

Weaknesses

• Durability Concerns: Newsome has missed time in multiple seasons with soft-tissue and lower-body injuries. Performance dips when playing through injury; availability remains a key variable.

• Long-Speed vs. Elite Vertical Threats: While he shows good mirror and twitch ability, Newsome can be stressed by top-tier speed receivers on extended vertical routes.

• Physicality vs. Bigger Receivers: Newsome can be out-muscled at times by large, physical wideouts at the catch point.

• Adjustment to Zone: Newsome has been asked to adjust to a zone scheme for the first time in a while since his move to the Jaguars, so he has slowly been able to come up to speed with some up and down plays during his transition.

Outlook

Newsome projects as a high-quality starting cornerback in man-heavy or mixed-coverage defenses that value technique, versatility, and discipline. While he may not profile as a pure lockdown corner against elite vertical threats, Newsome excels as a CB1B/CB2 who can neutralize top route runners and quarterbacks’ preferred targets. If he continues to improve durability and takeaway production, he has the upside to become a long-term, scheme-flexible starter and one of the steadier coverage defenders at his position. Whether or not this continues in Jacksonville in a contract year remains to be seen.