This much is clear: the Green Bay Packers need to address their cornerback depth this offseason. That might come in free agency, it might come in the draft. Perhaps they pull off a trade. What they can’t do is go into the season relying on Nate Hobbs to be available as the third option behind Keisean Nixon (not a true No. 1) and Carrington Valentine (a first-year starter in 2025).
If they go the free agency route, one name they could consider is former Browns and Jaguars CB Greg Newsome II.
Newsome to be Packers’ new kid in town?
Writes ESPN’s Matt Bowen on the potential fit:
“The Packers’ cornerbacks struggled after Micah Parsons‘ injury limited the pass rush, and new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will install a zone-heavy scheme. That’s a fit for Newsome, who uses his backfield vision in coverage. Re-signing with the Jaguars is also an option.”
Newsome was, to be clear, not good last season. Really, he hasn’t been the same since 2023, when he recorded two of his four career picks, 14 pass breakups, and four tackles for loss. All are easily personal bests for Newsome.
Last season between Cleveland and Jacksonville, the former 26th draft pick graded out in the bottom tier at the position. His Pro Football Focus score of 55.4 puts him 85th among 114 cornerbacks. Not great.
Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) celebrates breaking up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
The Packers would not ask Newsome to come in and start, but is he really a better option than Hobbs? If he is, the main reason, aside from a possible scheme fit with Gannon’s defense, is availability. Green Bay knows Hobbs cannot be depended on; he’s missed 22 games in his last four seasons.
Newsome, although he banged up at times throughout his career, would at least be a durability upgrade. He appeared in all 17 games last season and has averaged 14.2 games per year versus 12.4 for Hobbs.
In Bowen’s free agent rankings, Newsome clocks in at 34th. Spotrac projects his market value at three years, $27 million.
By comparison, the Packers signed Hobbs for four years and $48 million last offseason. In guaranteed money, the deal includes an annually prorated signing bonus worth $16 million.
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