Lions Sign Former First-Round CB in Proposed Trade

This offseason, the Detroit Lions figure to have plenty of free agent alternatives at cornerback.

However, trading for a cornerback is also an option. On March 8, Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire proposed that the Detroit Lions should acquire Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome.

Risdon recommended that the Lions trade their No. 73 overall selection in the third round, as well as a 2025 fourth-round pick, to the Browns for Newsome.

“The Browns have three top cornerbacks: Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson, and Greg Newsome.” Risdon stated that “all three are outside cornerbacks by nature.” “The one to focus on for potential Lions trade purposes is Newsome, who is entering his fourth season and due a new contract after the year if the Browns choose not to exercise his fifth-year option.”

Risdon also proposed that the Lions sign Newsome to a three-year, $41.5 million contract with a $22.5 million guarantee following the transaction.

“That figure is above what Over The Cap currently projects as Newsome’s value but is commensurate with the rate for a starting outside cornerback in free agency,” Risdon noted in an email.

In three seasons with the Browns, Newsome has 128 total tackles, including 4 for loss, 29 pass defenses, and 2 interceptions.

Newsome recorded each interception and had a career-best 14 pass defenses last season.

Why the Lions Could Pursue Greg Newsome

Newsome is an intriguing possible pick for the Lions. He has three years of NFL experience, but he will only turn 24 in May.

The Browns selected Newsome 26th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. He started 11 games as a rookie and 28 in 2022-23.

According to Pro Football Focus player grades, Newsome has received solid marks ranging from 66 to 70 (out of 100) in all three NFL seasons. He struggles with run defense and tackling, but PFF ranks him 30th in coverage among 75 cornerbacks who played at least half of their team’s defensive snaps in 2023.

Newsome’s highest PFF player grade in 2022 was 69.1.

Dealing Newsome for a third-round pick allows the Lions to still target defensive upgrades in the first and second rounds. Detroit will also still have its third-round pick at No. 92 overall.

The No. 73 pick Risdon proposed the Lions trade for Newsome came from the Minnesota Vikings in the T.J. Hockenson deal.

Newsome would improve the Lions’ secondary, which finished the 2023 season 27th in pass defense and 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt.

Detroit re-signed cornerback Emmanuel Moseley on March 5. However, the Lions might still use another starter and more depth at the position.

Veterans Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey and Jerry Jacobs are set to leave in free agency.

Other CB Targets for the Lions

As previously said, the Lions have several cornerback options this offseason.

Veterans Kendall Fuller, Stephon Gilmore, and Xavien Howard lead the free agent cornerback class.

The Lions have also been linked to other trade cornerback candidates, including L’Jarius Sneed, Marshon Lattimore, and Rasul Douglas.

Detroit is also considering drafting a cornerback at No. 29 overall in the first round. Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times predicted the Lions would choose Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry in his mock draft on March 4.

Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting staff had previously linked the Lions to McKinstry as a trade up prospect.

Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has been a favorite candidate among NFL mock draft gurus for the Lions at No. 29.

With so many possibilities, the Lions may be patient with a possible deal for Newsome. However, his experience, upside, and age make him one of the most intriguing potential additions to Detroit’s secondary.