The Vikings and The Pursuit of a Young, Tall, Highly-Drafted Corner
Spending a bit more time to ponder the possibility has further strengthened the conviction: trading for Cleveland’s Greg Newsome II makes a ton of sense.
Go ahead and remove the Vikings from your thinking. Consider the Browns and the Browns alone. Andrew Berry’s team is in a world of hurt — Cleveland has itself to blame — so there will need to be some major changes. At more than $30 million over the cap, the Browns need to carve out cap space. Trading Newsome means clearing all $13.377 million off the books (no dead money), which is to say nothing of the benefit of adding a draft pick(s) in return. Sounds like something Cleveland should be interested in considering.
The Vikings and Trading for Greg Newsome II
Now kick things back to Minnesota. Why the supposed interest in the corner? Start off with the connection. Back in 2021, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was part of the front office that made Newsome the No. 26 selection in the draft.
Consider the scouting report from the NFL’s website: “Long-limbed cornerback with angular frame and disruptive size and strength. Newsome is well-versed in Cover 3, quarters coverage and press man. He’s equally adept at each, too. It’s hard to get a gauge on his overall long speed, as most of the throws his way were underneath, but it’s worth noting that he’s above average with ball tracking and body positioning to defend the deep throw. While the takeaway totals are nothing special, his length, timing and sheer competitiveness make tape study of the contested catches he’s allowed for completions a very short watch. He has the footwork and skill level to cover downfield without getting into receivers prematurely, but for now, those pass interference penalties from press-man are a concern. Newsome is a competitive, scheme-diverse outside cornerback with good size, speed and explosiveness. He has the talent to become a good starter within his first two seasons.”
Lots of promise within that giant block of text.
At just 24, Newsome — who is about to enter his fifth season in the NFL — is actually younger than Mekhi Blackmon. Newsome was born on May 18th, 2000; Blackmon was born on March 18th, 1999. So, Newsome has more than a year of added youth and two years of added experience.
In theory, Minnesota could roll into the 2025 NFL Draft with a top trio of corners consisting of Newsome, Blackmon, and Byron Murphy Jr. The cluster of talent would offer a nice blend of youth and experience.
Even better, there’s versatility in Newsome’s game. Across his initial four seasons, Newsome has picked up 1,418 snaps as a wide corner and 1,148 snaps as a slot corner. Sounds like someone Brian Flores would be enthused about working alongside.
Those keeping score at home will be tracking the reasons for intrigue: a connection to the GM, youth to stand alongside his experience, and then some versatility. The cherry on top? Good size.
Playing defensive football at a high level often comes down to being able to matchup well. If, for instance, the other team has a bully receiver capable of winning every jump ball, then pass defense could be in short supply on that Sunday afternoon.
The 6’1″, 192-pound Newsome offers better size than the others corners mentioned so far (Blackmon comes in at 5’11”, 178 whereas Murphy is 5’11”, 190). A major part of the appeal of Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore this past season rested in their ability to go toe-to-toe with larger outside receivers. Can Newsome be that guy for the Vikings in the future?
To make sense for the Vikings, the cost to acquire Newsome can’t be astronomical. Rather, the deal would need to involve either the 3rd-Round selection or possibly one of the 5ths. Maybe something from the 2026 cluster of picks, but nothing that ventures too high. Minnesota is, after all, taking a large contract off the books for Cleveland, something that does have value for the Browns.
Minnesota could then, in turn, look to extend Newsome if they feel comfortable committing for more years, lessening the 2025 cap charge in the process.
Corner is perhaps Minnesota’s foremost need at the present moment. Attacking the issue from all angles — free agency, the draft, and, indeed, on the trade market — could end up being the most prudent approach.
Don’t lose sight of Greg Newsome II. He’s a young, tall corner who is playing for a team that is an absolute mess, needing to shed salary to become cap compliant. Even better, Adofo-Mensah has connections aplenty with that team.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
Now More than Ever, Vikings Appear to be a Prime Landing Spot for Stud Defender
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.