2021 NFL Draft: Greg Newsome II can be a lockdown CB for the Raiders
By CJ Errickson
The Las Vegas Raiders have consistently had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL for numerous consecutive seasons. In 2020, the secondary contributed to a defense that allowed the opposing offense to score on 50.3% of their drives.
Furthermore, the Silver and Black’s back-end seemed lost and outmatched more times than not last season. With numerous roster decisions on the free agency horizon, the Raiders may opt to wait to address the cornerback position until the 2021 NFL Draft. With glaring issues on the defensive front, it would be unsurprising if Las Vegas decides to address the trenches in the first round.
However, in the second round, the team has the ability to acquire one of the best cornerbacks in the entire draft from Northwestern University. The Wildcats are not a collegiate program often associated with top-tier NFL draft talent, although this year, Wildcat cornerback Greg Newsome II is in a prime position to revive the Northwestern NFL pipeline.
Newsome II stands at 6’1″ and weighs approximately 190 pounds. He is a boundary cornerback with the length and the physicality to thrive in Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 heavy defensive scheme. Not only is he a schematic fit, but as a student that graduated in just three years at Northwestern University, it is already apparent that he has the I.Q. required to thrive in life but also on the football field.
Let us take a look at what he could bring to this Raiders defense.