Packers 2021 NFL Draft Profile: Greg Newsome

The Green Bay Packers have a great need at cornerback entering the 2021 NFL Draft and it’s very likely they’ll select one at some point throughout the three-day process. It’s also a very real possibility they grab one in the first round, as they have huge question marks at the position both in 2021 and beyond.

If they go that route, they could take a long look at Northwestern standout Greg Newsome. Newsome spent a lot of time on the field for the Wildcats in his three years there, never playing fewer than 374 snaps in a single season. That experience has done wonders for his stock, so let’s break him down as a player heading into the final month before the 2021 NFL Draft.

Cornerback Greg Newsome is likely high on the Green Bay Packers’ priority list in the first round so let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses.

Measurements and workout metrics:

• 6-foot (above average for his position)
• 192 pounds (average)
• Bench press: 18 reps (really good)
• Three cone: 6.94 seconds (average)
• 40-yard dash: 4.38 seconds (really good)
• Shuttle run: 4.31 seconds (bad)
• Vertical jump: 40 inches (really good
• Broad jump: 123 inches (average)

Where he played:

Newsome lined up almost exclusively at outside cornerback and that’s where he projects at the next level. That could be somewhat complicating early on if he were to be selected by the Packers, as they have both Kevin King and Jaire Alexander under contract next season. However, King only signed a one-year deal and Green Bay would happily move on from him if a better opportunity presents itself.

Strengths

• Breaks off coverage very well
• Has a lot of experience playing zone defense and understands where he is supposed to be
• Elite agility on the football field.

Weaknesses

• His athleticism didn’t really translate to the tape
• Not battle-tested against great wide receivers despite having so much playing experience
• Needs to add strength

Big picture

The Packers desperately need help at cornerback both in the short and long term, and Greg Newsome is a strong candidate to become their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has a lot of experience at Northwestern where he played mostly outside corner and in a zone alignment. He has above-average athleticism which we know general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers’ front office strongly prefer. He does a great job staying with receivers as they are breaking in and out of routes which means the Packers could try him in the slot to begin his career. He’ll have to prove himself against NFL-caliber wide receivers, something he didn’t get much experience doing in college. There would be worst first-round picks than Newsome if that’s the route Green Bay goes.

*Information gathered came from PFF’s 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Guide.