The Las Vegas Raiders lost a couple of key members of their secondary this offseason, as safety Tre’von Moehrig and cornerback Nate Hobbs both departed.
That has left a rather significant hole in the Raiders’ backfield, especially at the cornerback position where they will likely be employing rookie Darien Porter and struggling veteran Eric Stokes as their starters.
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Las Vegas could definitely stand to add another piece before the regular season, and Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has linked the Raiders to a rather interesting candidate: Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II.
“Greg Newsome II fits the bill as a proven veteran with the potential to anchor a starting outside cornerback spot,” Kay wrote. “While he struggled last year and has an expensive contract—he’s due over $13 million in 2025 on his fifth-year option—the Raiders have the cap space to absorb that deal.”
Newsome has widely been viewed as a potential trade candidate for over a year now, and it was actually surprising that the Browns didn’t move him at the deadline last November.
“There’s still upside in this move for Vegas as well,” Kay continued. “Newsome is a 2021 first-round pick who is still just 25 years old. If he shows out in Sin City, he could stick around on a long-term extension.”
Kay has the Raiders sending a seventh-round draft pick to Cleveland in return for Newsome.
Newsome labored in 2024, registering just 27 tackles, an interception and five passes defended in 13 games while posting a paltry 52.2 overall rating at Pro Football Focus.
However, the Northwestern product had shown plenty of promise in previous years, so he obviously has talent and would almost certainly represent an upgrade over Stokes, who is coming off of an awful season with the Packers.
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Of course, now is not the best time for Cleveland to be entertaining Newsome trade discussions, as the Browns have already lost fellow cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. for 2025 with a ruptured Achilles.
But if Cleveland does decide to make a move with Newsome, there is no doubt that Las Vegas would comprise a natural fit.
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