The Green Bay Packers have a clear mission this offseason: bolster their cornerback depth. Whether through free agency, the draft, or a trade, they need more reliable options.
Relying solely on Nate Hobbs as the third option behind Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine isn't viable. Nixon isn't a true No. 1 cornerback, and Valentine is just stepping into a starting role.
In free agency, one potential target could be Greg Newsome II, formerly of the Browns and Jaguars. Newsome's skill set might align well with the Packers' new defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, who is implementing a zone-heavy scheme.
Newsome's backfield vision makes him a good fit for this approach. While re-signing with the Jaguars remains an option for him, the Packers could present a compelling alternative.
It's important to acknowledge that Newsome hasn't been at his best since 2023 when he set personal records with two interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and four tackles for loss. Last season, his performance dipped, landing him in the lower tier of cornerbacks with a Pro Football Focus score of 55.4, ranking 85th out of 114.
Despite this, Newsome could offer the Packers something they desperately need: availability. Unlike Hobbs, who has missed 22 games over the past four seasons, Newsome played all 17 games last year and averages 14.2 games per season compared to Hobbs' 12.4.
In free agent rankings, Newsome is listed 34th, with a projected market value of three years at $27 million. For context, the Packers signed Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal last offseason, including a $16 million prorated signing bonus.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether Newsome's potential fit and availability outweigh his recent performance struggles. If Green Bay believes he can thrive in their system, he might just be the upgrade they need.