5 players the Vikings could trade for before Week 1 of the 2023 season

Greg Newsome II - CB (Cleveland Browns)

If the Vikings are looking to solve one of their two outside cornerback spots, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should make a call to his good friend and mentor, Browns general manager Andrew Berry, as Greg Newsome II would immediately become a starter in Brian Flores' defense.

Newsome had a very promising rookie year in 2021, which resulted in being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. The young cornerback spent the majority of that season playing on the outside. In 2022, however, he moved inside with the emergence of Martin Emerson, and he noticeably struggled.

There were rumors earlier this year that Newsome had grown tired of playing in the slot and he was looking to get out of Cleveland. However, those rumors were quickly debunked by the cornerback himself.

Contrary to what Newsome may believe, a move back outside for a team coming off a 13-win season like Minnesota should be enticing for the former Northwestern Wildcat.

Newsome is scheme-versatile, meaning he can lineup in both man and zone coverages, and with a defensive mastermind like Flores calling the shots, he could stake his claim as one of the best corners in the NFC North by season's end.

Unlike Chase Young and Isaiah Simmons, expect a hefty return package to likely be needed to land Newsome. The 23-year-old is still on his rookie deal and has shown a lot of promise. So something similar to what Minnesota gave up in the T.J. Hockenson deal last season would probably be needed if they wanted to get this deal done.