The Philadelphia Eagles have not filled their need for a cornerback yet this offseason, but they still have time to do so.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has suggested a trade that could help them acquire a promising young CB who could potentially succeed either Darius Slay or James Bradberry.
There is not much depth behind Slay and Bradberry, and Bradberry had a disappointing season with nine touchdowns allowed and only one interception.
Ballentine’s trade proposal involves sending current Cleveland Browns defensive back CB Greg Newsome II to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick (No. 53 overall).
The Eagles Need to Get Younger at CB
Ballentine believes that the Eagles need to find younger corners, as both Slay and Bradberry are over 30.
“Salary limits probably forced the Eagles to keep both veterans, but finding successors is still a big part of their offseason plans,” Ballentine wrote on March 27, adding:
“Another option besides drafting a young corner who might take time to adapt to the NFL would be to trade for a younger corner with an affordable deal. Greg Newsome is in the fourth year of his rookie contract. The Browns have a fifth-year option, but his 2024 salary is only $2.4 million.”
Ballentine also believes that the Browns may be willing to trade the young defensive back due to their current CBs room.
“Newsome doesn’t have much ball production (two interceptions in three years), but he has never allowed a passer rating above 85.6 in a single season,” he wrote. “The Browns already have a lot of money invested in Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson was even better than Newsome last season. That might make him the odd man out as the Browns won’t be able to pay all three down the line and they don’t have a lot of draft capital in this year’s event.”
Greg Newsome II Could Be a Solid Add for a Team Like the Philadelphia Eagles
A first-round pick out of Northwestern for the Browns in 2021, Newsome has started 39 games for the Browns over his three seasons in the league. Still just 23 (he’ll be 24 in May), he’s young and has the potential to grow into a solid starter.
After failing to haul in an interception over his first two years in the NFL, Newsome changed that last season.
In 14 games (13 starts) last year, Newsome finished with 49 total tackles (four for loss), 0.5 sacks, a quarterback hit, 14 pass breakups, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. The 6-foot, 192-pound corner has suffered multiple concussions over his three seasons in the league, so that’s something to consider.
Philly addressed its needs at safety by bringing C.J. Gardner-Johnson back on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million. We’ll see what they do to add depth to the CBs room.
