Giants Sign Greg Newsome II to Fix Cornerback Problem
Why the Giants Needed a Cornerback
New York entered free agency with a clear hole in their secondary. Cor’Dale Flott, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Giants, chose to sign with the Tennessee Titans — leaving the team thin at cornerback heading into the new league year. With several other options at the position also coming off the board on Monday, the Giants moved quickly to land Newsome before the market closed entirely.
Who Is Greg Newsome II?
Newsome was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Cleveland exercised his fifth-year option, giving him a 2025 salary of $13.38 million — a sign of how highly the organization valued him at his peak. Last October, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he started 11 of 12 games and recorded one interception, six pass breakups and 29 tackles.
5
4
43
207
99.1 (26th-worst among CBs with 200+ snaps)
A Career of Position Changes
Newsome broke into the league as an outside cornerback but was shifted inside to the nickel role after Cleveland drafted Martin Emerson Jr. in 2022. He struggled at times in 2024, but reclaimed his outside spot in training camp last season after Emerson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The Giants are likely counting on that outside experience as they build their new-look secondary.
Fit With the Giants
New York’s defense struggled in coverage last season and needed an experienced, versatile cornerback who can play on the boundary. At 25 years old, Newsome still has upside — and a one-year deal gives both sides a chance to prove the fit before committing longer term.
Jacksonville GM James Gladstone called an extension “not out of the realm of possibility” when Newsome arrived mid-season, but nothing materialized. Now it’s the Giants’ turn to see if they can get the best out of a former top-30 pick.
Sources: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48162291/giants-add-greg-newsome-ii-address-need-at-cornerback
