The Vikings’ Most Realistic Trade Target
With the NFL Draft recently completed and free agency down to nubbins, the Minnesota Vikings’ roster is in pretty wonderful shape.
The Vikings’ Most Realistic Trade Target
The franchise will hope that an honest-to-goodness Super Bowl window opens, depending on the proficiency of new quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
And thanks to a little serendipity, there’s a realistic would-be trade target to make Minnesota’s roster even deadlier — Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II.
Greg Newsome II as Trade Target for Vikings
The Browns may evidently offload Newsome II to the highest bidder this spring or summer, and many believe the purple team’s cornerback room could use some cake icing.
Conveniently, Newsome II would provide precisely that, a formidable starting cornerback to run alongside Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. in 2025 and beyond.
Newsome II produced a suspect 52.2 score from Pro Football Focus last year, but in three seasons prior, the former 1st-Rounder accounted for commendable marks above 60.0. He might be worth the trade investment and shouldn’t cost more than a 4th- or 5th-Rounder.
And, alas, the Vikings have a mostly full draft cabinet next year, unlike last weekend.
Newsome II on the Trade Block
Newsome II on the trade wire isn’t a VikingsTerritory-driven idea. It’s per the Browns as an organization.
Bleacher Report‘s Doric Sam wrote last week, “The Cleveland Browns reportedly are willing to ship away a pair of defensive standouts in hopes of adding draft capital. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Browns cornerback Greg Newsome and defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo are ‘believed to be available via trade’ entering Thursday night’s NFL draft. Both players are entering the final years of their contracts.”
“The Browns selected Newsome with the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NFL draft and exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal last offseason. Unfortunately, he’s coming off a lackluster 2024 campaign in which he missed the last four games of the season with a hamstring injury and produced a career low of 27 tackles and five passes defended with one interception.”
If Cleveland was willing to offload him last week, this week and hereafter may be no different.
Sam added, “Newsome could be expendable if the Browns use the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft to select Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner excels both as a wide receiver and cornerback, making him one of the most unique prospects ever to enter the NFL. B/R’s NFL Scouting Department predicted in its final mock draft that Hunter lands in Cleveland.”
The Browns did not pick Hunter, instead trading down the board with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Newsome II’s trade availability could still be intact.
The Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Connection
One year before Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took Minnesota’s top job, he worked for — you guessed it — the Browns in their front office. His team chose Newsome II in Round 1 that season, so he likely extensively scouted the corner.
Too, Adofo-Mensah has shown ardor for former 1st-Rounders who have not panned out in the NFL. Jeff Okudah and Jalen Reagor have stories.
There’s a connection per draft scouting between Adofo-Mensah and Newsome II, making the trade theory more plausible.
Browns’ Salary Cap Hell
Three years ago, the Browns finagled a mammoth trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson, an alleged predator who later signed a fully guaranteed contract for $230 million over five years. He has utterly flamed out in Cleveland and won’t even play in 2025 due to a karmic reinjury to his Achilles tendon.
Naturally, it’s not easy for a franchise that handed a single player $230 million guaranteed to absolve all sins, and when men like Newsome II are up for contract extensions, Cleveland may simply not have the cash for it. It’s in Watson’s bank account.
Therefore, without an extension this offseason, Newsome II is somewhat expendable and hence available for trade.
A Possible CB Room in Minnesota
Suppose Newsome II to Minnesota comes to fruition. The team’s cornerback room might look something like this:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Greg Newsome II
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
Newsome II will turn 25 next month.
The Vikings’ Big Trade Is Official
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