BREAKING: Defender the Browns may actually trade could make a lot of sense for the Lions.THANHDUNG

As unlikely as it seems to happen, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has commanded most of the early talk when it comes to who the Detroit Lions could trade for this offseason, Beyond him on the Browns’ roster, cornerback Denzel Ward invited questions about his own future if the team trades Garrett.

Trading Garrett and/or Ward, barring a contract restructure to facilitate the move, would also leave the Browns with a sizeable amount of dead money. So while those ideas should not be completely put to bed, the focus has to shift more realistic if the Lions end up doing business with the Browns like they did to get Za’Darius Smith at last year’s trade deadline.

And there is a Browns’ defensive player the Lions had rumored interest in nearly a year ago.

There’s a Browns defensive player who could make lots of sense as trade target for the Lions

ESPN’s Ben Solak predicted the Brown would trade Ward or fellow cornerback Greg Newsome this offseason. We’ve mentioned a primary issue with trading Ward, dead money/what’s left on his contract, but Newsome is only tethered to his $13.37 million fifth-year option for 2025. The Browns can clear that full amount off their books by trading him.

So it’s no surprise Newsome is No. 7 on Bleacher Report’s post-Super Bowl LIX trade big board. It’s also not incredibly surprising writer Kristopher Knox named the Lions as a potential suitor.

“The Lions could use a young cornerback of Newsome’s caliber, especially with 2024 starter Carlton Davis scheduled to hit the market. Injuries played a role, but Detroit still finished this past season ranked 30th in passing yards allowed.”

Newsome is coming off a down year where he allowed 9.6 yards per target and a 112.5 passer rating with a dismal 54.0 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Those numbers were markedly better in 2023 (6.7 yards per target allowed, 74.8 passer rating allowed, 69.9 coverage grade), and he was better than he was last year in 2021 and 2022 as well.

So is Newsome who he was last year, with trade rumors/a lack of a long-term future in Cleveland possibly impacting him? Or is he the first-round draft pick pedigreed corner who was quite good in each of his first three seasons? He’s set to turn 25 in May, so you can bet some teams out there this offseason will be willing to bet on him getting back to the latter with a change of scenery.

The Lions being anywhere significant in the market for a veteran cornerback is contingent on Carlton Davis being gone in free agency. If they are in that spot, Newsome has the skill set and versatility to easily have a place on the list of possible pivots on the trade market.

Related Posts

UPDATE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers bolster roster with Emeka Egbuka in round 1 and cornerback duo Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish in day 2 NFL Draft — JC Allen is highly rated, so who’s next pick on day 3?

On Day 3, some of my best fits at quarterback could start to come into the fold. However, it’s unlikely the Bucs select a quarterback with any…

Bills rookie DT confidently declares he will turn the run defense into a solid wall of steel.

Buffalo Bills fans, buckle up – the franchise just made a bold move, shaking up the 2023 NFL Draft in a significant way. Instead of patiently waiting…

BREAKING: Patrick Mahomes makes headlines with emotional reaction to Chiefs’ first-round pick after trade.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sent out a quick reaction on Twitter to his team’s first-round pick in the NFL Draft. The three-time defending AFC champions have very few flaws…

BREAKING: Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield named Day 1 winner of the NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went against the grain in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft with their 19th overall pick. Instead of immediately addressing defensive…

UPDATE: Maxwell Hairston is our 1st round pick and will solidify our defense as the fastest player at the combine this year.

We are extremely proud to announce that Maxwell Hairston has officially become the team’s first round pick in this year’s selection. With outstanding talent and impressive form,…

BREAKING: Keeta Vaccaro, fearing for her life, has filed for divorce after Tyreek Hill became aggressive.

Tyreek Hill’s wife, Keeta Vaccaro, filed for divorce a day after police visited their Miami apartment building on Wednesday. Hill’s mother-in-law claimed that the pair were undergoing therapy to cut…