Devil’s Advocate: Cleveland Browns missed on yet another first round pick
By Nick Swanson
Greg Newsome feels like the right pick for the Cleveland Browns, but was he really?
Hopes were high coming into the draft. The Cleveland Browns, coming off an 11-5 season and their first playoff appearance in over 20 years, had a strong free agency period bringing in John Johnson III and Jadeveon Clowney.
Looking towards the draft, rumors were flying about who would be announced as the next member of the Cleveland Browns. With the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected Greg Newsome II, cornerback out of Northwestern.
I’m a huge fan of the pick but let’s play a little devil’s advocate.
Injury History
One concern with Newsome is his extensive injury history. In his three seasons as a Wildcat, he missed 14 games and only played in 17.
The extensive time that he missed was contributed to several ankle and groin injuries. His 2018 campaign was cut short due to an ankle injury and he suffered his most recent injury, a pulled groin, in the Big Ten Championship game.
Lack of Production
In his three years of playing, his production is underwhelming, especially for a first-round pick. He recorded 55 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, and only one tackle for loss. What really stands out is his lack of turnover production.
Only one interception and one fumble recovery in his 17 games, can be a cause of concern for some. As a first-round corner and the best defensive player on the team, one would like to see a little more production from him in his limited time. He does have a nose for the ball which is good to see but his inability to force turnovers is a huge hit on him.
With high-profile linebackers, interior defensive linemen, and several big-name receivers still on the board, an argument could be made that the Browns missed on yet another first-round pick.
However, with the inconsistent play and availability of the Browns secondary over the past couple years, taking a corner at 26 does make sense.
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Only time will tell on how he’ll fare in Cleveland. With two days left in the draft, the Browns are nowhere near done. Whether you like this pick or not, the team can only continue to improve on their quest to a Lombardi.