Cleveland Browns: 4 under-the-radar 2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch
By Cory Kinnan
The Cleveland Browns will look to hit on picks outside of round 1 again
The Cleveland Browns are off to the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades, and a large part is due to the new leadership at the top with head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. As a first-year GM, Berry landed a handful of prospects outside of the first round who immediately contributed in year one.
From the obvious one in sixth-round wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, the other day-three guys in Nick Harris and Harrison Bryant, Berry found players with the ability to make an impact anywhere in the draft. With holes to fill, specifically on the defensive side of the football, the Browns and Berry will have to make magic happen once again.
Who are some under-the-radar 2021 NFL Draft prospects for the Browns to take a deep look at this upcoming April? Here are four names to keep an eye on.
1. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
As second-year cornerback Greedy Williams has missed all 16 games this season after missing a handful the year before, we have to wonder what the future holds for the former second-round pick. Additionally, Terrance Mitchell has proven to be a liability down the stretch, making cornerback a massive priority moving forward in Cleveland.
Watching some late night film of junior #Northwestern DB Greg Newsome II (#2). This is from the 2019 Iowa game.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 17, 2020
The way he breaks on this out route, without a speed turn, is impressive. His closing speed, and ability to mirror a receiver is special. pic.twitter.com/31HEfYGKKe
Should the Browns opt to wait until day-two or even potentially early day-three, a name to watch is Northwestern’s lockdown cornerback Greg Newsome II. The 6-foot-1 and 190-pound Wildcat cornerback has posted great numbers over the past two seasons at Northwestern, capping his career off with seven passes broken up and a pick in just three games this season.
He is an enticing option should the Browns be out of the reach of the top cornerbacks like Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II or South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn.