Is cornerback Greg Newsome coming or going? Coming into a lucrative fifth-year option in his contract? Or could he be trade bait? (Cleveland Browns)
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
(One in a series of position recaps as Browns head into the 2024 player transaction season.)
Position group: Defensive secondary.
Players under contract: D’Anthony Bell, 27, (through 2024); Grant Delpit, 25, (2026); Martin Emerson, 23, (2025); Kahlef Hailassie, 23, (2025); Ronnie Hickman, 22, (2025); Cameron Mitchell, 22, (2026); Greg Newsome, 23, (2024); Juan Thornhill, 28, (2025); Denzel Ward, 26, (2027).
Players not under contract: Michael Ford, 28; Rodney McLeod, 33; Duron Harmon, 30.
Position coaches: Brandon Lynch (cornerbacks) and Ephraim Banda (safeties).
Overview: With nine players under contract, this is the second-most populous position group on the roster; offensive line is first with 11. The cornerbacks reveled in coordinator Jim Schwartz’s predominantly man coverage scheme. If anyone had a breakout year, it was Emerson with a team-high four interceptions, though his lack of effort on a short pass in the wild-card game led to a 76-yard touchdown. Newsome’s two interceptions ended a pro drought for him. For the sixth straight year, Ward saved his best performances for division games. His 10 takeaways in AFC North games since 2018 are the most of any player. Each of the top three safeties suffered injuries late in the year. But the substitutes – Bell, Hickman and Harmon – all capitalized on their opportunities.
Issues: Delpit secured his spot as a foundation piece of the defense with a new three-year contract just before suffering a severe groin injury that essentially ended his season. That leaves two potential contract issues. The third season of Ward’s five-year, $100 million contract moves him past Myles Garrett with a salary cap figure of $23.46 million – third-highest on the club. He’s a candidate for restructuring. An indirect issue centers on Newsome. He’s entering his fourth season after being selected 26th overall in the 2021 draft. The Browns have to decide by May 2 whether to pick up Newsome’s fifth-year option at a fully guaranteed salary of approximately $12.166 million in 2025. That’s a fair price for a No. 2 cornerback. But Newsome, who matured into the nickel back role in Schwartz’s first year as coordinator, might be no better than No. 3 behind Ward and Emerson. A restructuring of Ward’s deal might make it easier to swallow. Or, would the Browns consider Newsome a marketable trade asset?
Previously: