3 second year Cleveland Browns players ready to shine this season

3 of 3

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) in the first quarter during a Week 9 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cleveland Browns lead the Cincinnati Bengals 24-10 at halftime. /

Cleveland Browns Player No. 1 ready to shine this season: Greg Newsome II, CB

Greg Newsome came as advertised after being drafted in the first round of last year’s draft. He started 11 games and finished with nine pass deflections and defended his opponents well. The ball was thrown his way 62 times last year and he gave up 39 completions.

The completions averaged out to 9.8 yards per catch. In the late-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was thrown at 15 times and he only allowed eight receptions. And he only gave up 5.4 yards a catch in that game.

With the Browns drafting another cornerback in Martin Emerson Jr. from Mississippi State and having other cornerbacks like veteran Greedy Williams, the team has been placing Newsome in the slot in these OTA’s so far and Newsome seems to welcome the shift as reported on by the Browns.

Playing in the middle of the defense will give Newsome more opportunities to be around the ball and contribute even more. He should have a big role wherever the team decides to play him. His versatility seems to be a real benefit to him now.

I look to see those numbers of tackles grow because of the position shift to the slot. He will have a real shot at grabbing a few interceptions too. His pass deflections could double.

Next. 3 early standouts at 2022 OTAs. dark

In the end, having a young star in the making like Newsome will be another big impact on that Browns defense.

Home/Browns News