Browns CB Greg Newsome Opens up on Why he Wants to be an Outside Cornerback

Cleveland Browns third year cornerback Greg Newsome II explained why he wants to be mostly an outside cornerback unlike last season.

Brandon Little | Jun 21, 2023

Browns CB Greg Newsome Opens up on Why he Wants to be an Outside Cornerback /

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Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns’ cornerback room has a good problem with more than two starting caliber cornerbacks that can play at a high level on the outside. Last season, it was Greg Newsome II who was stuck inside mostly as a part of the system that former Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods was running.

Newsome opened up about playing on the inside, as well as why he likes to be a boundary cornerback in an interview with theOBR.

“I would say the most difficult part about playing inside is really not even run fits, I would say just knowing like you aren't in man too much," Newsome explained. "It's just really the competitive nature, I feel like it's less competitive. There's not a lot of one on ones and things like that. I feel like my body type is not fit to be in the box for half of the game. Just me being a competitor, I feel like I'm helping the team a little bit more.”

As a rookie, Newsome played in 12 games on the outside and looked the part. As a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, he looked like a steal at the 26th pick. He defended nine passes as a rookie, that number dropped to six in three more games played in 2022.

Now, Newsome is expected to play outside more. As a rookie in 2022, Martin Emerson Jr. was on the boundary more with Newsome in the slot. There will be plenty of opportunities for them both to be on the field together in 2023. Emerson is a player that new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz may want to move around some after a very good rookie season he had in 2022.

Speaking of Schwartz, he is someone the defensive players are already high on, including Newsome.

“He is more of like a leader-coach. He wants things to be done a certain way. He doesn't care who you are,” Newsome stated. “At the end of the day, he's going to coach you harder which I like. Just his scheme I feel like it fits us so well. Especially like what I was just saying. More of that man-to-man aspect. Getting guys to be aggressive. I definitely think he's going to help take my game to the next level."

Newsome has the ceiling of being a Pro Bowl talent. There is no hiding that. He’s shown the ability to match up and be a glove against some pretty good wideouts through his first two seasons.

“This year I just feel like I just have to prove to myself exactly where I feel like I'm supposed to be, and I just think that is one of the best in the league," Newsome said. "I just feel like I have to do it game in and game out. Stay consistent. Just proving to myself that I am that type of player that I'm expected to be especially after coming in a strong rookie year and then I feel like last year obviously position-wise and things like that, kind of maybe take a little bit of a step back I feel like, but just to get back to where I was. Im just going to continue to grow.”

Cleveland drafted another slip option in cornerback Cameron Mitchell out of Northwestern. He is good friends with Newsome and should fit in well with the room as a whole. When you add in Denzel Ward as the top corner, and AJ Green as depth, the Browns have the making of a room that should get it done plus some in 2023.

For Newsome, he should be more comfortable on the field and it could lead to good things for him as a player, and the Browns as a team.

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