Currently, there is a bunch of uncertainty when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings players that make up the team's cornerback room. With this being the case, some Vikings fans might want the team to make an attempt to acquire a former first-round pick who the Cleveland Browns are apparently willing to trade this offseason.
That's right, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz on Thursday, Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II is "believed to be available" for teams that might be interested in making a trade for him.
Newsome was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Cleveland and his contract with the team is set to expire after the 2025 season.
Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II not worth whatever it would take for the Minnesota Vikings to acquire him in a trade
The fact that Newsome is a former first-round draft pick is likely what intrigues someone the most about the possibility of him ending up with Minnesota this year. But that's the problem.
If Newsome was actually one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, then where he was drafted wouldn't be the first thing mentioned about him. But unfortunately for him, he hasn't lived up to the expectations that he was given when Cleveland decided to use a 2021 first-round selection on him.
During his first two seasons with the Browns, it seemed like he was potentially on the path to becoming one of the top corners in the league. In 2021, Newsome's PFF defensive grade ranked 32nd out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks, and in 2022, his grade ranked 34th out of 118.
But then things started to head down the wrong direction. Newsome's PFF defensive grade dropped down to 55th out of 127 qualifying corners in the NFL in 2023, and last season, his grade plummeted down to a ranking of 106 out 116.
During the 2024 campaign, opposing quarterbacks had a 112.5 passer rating when throwing the ball in his direction, which ranked 214th in the league.
We haven't even mentioned that Newsome will have a cap hit of a little more than $13.4 million in 2025 if the Vikings wind up acquiring him this offseason, which is higher than what Byron Murphy Jr.'s cap hit is for Minnesota in this year ($10.3 million).
If Newsome's cap hit was half of what it's currently scheduled to be in 2025, then maybe it would be worth it for the Vikings to take a risk on him. But at his current price, Minnesota can easily find some better cornerback options to spend that kind of money on before next season.