Over the next four weeks WEEI.com will offer up a total of 28 prospects who could be potential Patriots selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the top five projected overall prospects – QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Zach Wilson, WR Ja’Marr Chase, TE Kyle Pitts and OT Penei Sewell – won’t be included, all other players at all positions will be considered potential targets for Bill Belichick and his staff. Today we look at another member of the strong first-round cornerback crop.
Greg Newsome II
CB Northwestern
6-0, 192
Resume: Newsome was a standout in basketball, football and track as a Chicago area high school talent before transferring to the IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season. … Was essentially a three-year starter for Northwestern, despite missing time each season due to injury that limited him to 18 starts in 21 career games. … First Northwestern player to leave school early after just three seasons since 1996. … Took First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 after leading the conference in passes defensed. … Despite his playmaking skills and impressive 25 passes defensed, had only one interception over three seasons. … Reportedly led the country in passer rating allowed last fall at just 15.7, while allowing a mere one completion longer than 10 yards and no touchdowns.
Pre-Draft Buzz: According to The Athletic, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald praises Newsome’s competitive playing style, saying, “He’s got a short memory and a quick fuse.” … The Ringer compares Newsome to former Chiefs first-round pick and current Ravens All-Pro playmaker Marcus Peters. … NFL.com writes that Newsome is “a competitive, scheme-diverse outside cornerback with good size, speed and explosiveness,” while comparing him to Eagles All-Pro Darius Slay. … Ran an impressive 4.38 40 at his pro day. … Drew a high number of flags in college, an issue that may only grow in the pros. … Definite concerns about his frame and durability given that he missed 14 games over three seasons due to injury at Northwestern, including a groin injury late last fall. … There is some debate as to the order of the possible four or five cornerbacks that could come off the board in the first round come draft night, with NFL.com slotting Newsome at the No. 20 pick in its latest mock draft as the third guy at his position.
Why Newsome fits the Patriots’ needs: Belichick’s defense currently has short-term depth and stability at cornerback, but that may not be the case for long. Stephon Gilmore has one year left on his contract and reportedly has no plans to play for the relatively low $7 million salary in 2021. J.C. Jackson is a restricted free agent who’ll hit the open market next offseason. So between now and next March New England could go from two No. 1 caliber corners to none. Given Belichick’s history of preparing for such situations, it wouldn’t be stunning to see him target a strong cornerback class in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Newsome is an aggressive playmaker who can shine in man coverage, skills that would seem to be appealing to New England. You can never have enough good, young cornerbacks, even if it takes a first-round pick to get them.