Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) carries a boom box onto the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings have fired off two trades in the last two weeks, acquiring running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans and left tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has six days to complete any more deals, with the league’s deadline on Election Day, November 5th.
And according to SI.com, Minnesota should swing at least one more trade, this time with the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Greg Newsome II.
SI.com’s Matt Vederame claimed Newsome II would cost a 5th-Round pick for Minnesota and explained, “The Vikings’ stout defense was a big reason why the team jumped out to a 5–0 start before losing the past two games. But Brian Flores’s defense is allowing 263.3 passing yards per game, one of the downsides of being a blitz-heavy team. Perhaps the Browns are ready to break up their talented secondary amid a losing season and salary cap issues.”
These are the Vikings corners entering Week 9:
Vederame added, “Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, can play on the inside and outside. He would help improve Minnesota’s pass defense, which would allow Flores to continue being an aggressive play-caller.”
It’s worth noting, too, that this trade would make sense because Adofo-Mensah served as the Browns’ Vice President of Football Operations when Cleveland drafted Newsome II three years ago. He was a part of the regime that made the pick happen.
Here’s Newsome II’s Pro Football Focus resume through four seasons:
Newsome II has been prone to tackling issues lately, but the working theory would be that the technique could be fixed in Minnesota. Otherwise, why would a team trade for a player with a lowly 49.1 PFF mark?
Earlier this week, Alexander Golden of PurplePTSD.com, a sister site to VikingsTerritory, endorsed Newsome II to Minnesota as a realistic trade. He wrote, “One player who could make sense for Minnesota is Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns. Drafted in 2021, Newsome has become a reliable presence in Cleveland’s secondary. He broke out a bit last season with 14 passes defended and two interceptions. Newsome’s versatility — he can play both outside and in the slot — makes him an attractive option for the Vikings, as he could either challenge Murphy for a starting spot or provide invaluable depth.”
When the 2025 offseason arrives, the Vikings are scheduled to have a bleak situation per young corner talent, only employing the aforementioned Evans and McGlothern. Newsome II, in theory, would help fix the long-term concern.
“At just 24 years old and still on his rookie contract, Newsome would be a long-term asset for the Vikings. Should the Browns decide to part ways with him as they rebuild, Minnesota could capitalize on his talent for both this season and next,” Golden added.
He also stated the trade might look like this: “Minnesota sends Akayleb Evans, a 2025 5th-round pick, and a 2026 3rd-round pick to Cleveland for Greg Newsome II and a 2025 7th-round pick.”
Newsome II will turn 25 next May.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.