The Cleveland Browns signed cornerback Nik Needham on Monday, which is potentially bad news for Greg Newsome.
Needham was orginally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has played his entire career for the Dolphins, appearing in 63 career games with 27 starts. Needham has recorded 199 career tackles, six interceptions, 25 passes defensed, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Needham has played a lot of nickel corner with the Dolphins. That’s a role Newsome has recently held down with the Browns, with Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. playing on the outside. The move could set Cleveland up to trade Newsome around the draft if they’re looking to move up or add additional picks.
Browns CB Greg Newsome Not New to Trade Rumors
Newsome is no stranger to trade rumors. He’s been a constant in trade discussions and is heading into the final year of his rookie deal with the Browns. By dealing Newsome the Browns could get $13 million off their books and get value back for a player who may not be long for Cleveland.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently labeled Newsome as a player who could be “deemed expendable” around the draft. Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports also recently highlighted Newsome as a potential trade candidate for the Browns.
“He’s getting $13.3 million on his fifth-year option this year, and suffered through a difficult 2024 season, so moving him might not be easy. He had hamstring surgery last July, then struggled and lost his job early in the season, only to end up missing the last four games when the hamstring flared up again,” Vacchiano said. “Still, he’s a 24-year-old former first-round pick who had three decent NFL seasons. He doesn’t have a future in Cleveland, but cornerbacks are hard to find, so someone might be willing to take a chance.”
