Cornerbacks Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell were separated by seven spots in the 2021 NFL Draft. Newsome, an athletic boundary corner, went No. 26 overall to the Cleveland Browns. Campbell, a physical, five-star recruit out of Georgia, went No. 33 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The two players, intertwined again, were traded for one another on Oct. 8. It’s a surprising move that signals an interesting game plan for both teams.
Here are the terms of the deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Cleveland receives:
- Tyson Campbell
- A 2026 7th-round pick (via the Philadelphia Eagles)
Jacksonville receives:
- Greg Newsome II
- A 2026 6th-round pick (via the New York Jets)
The draft pick compensation suggests that Campbell is valued slightly more highly than Newsome. So, why would the 4-1 Jaguars, hoping for a playoff berth, unload Campbell? And why would the 1-4 Browns surrender any (albeit modest) draft capital? There’s plenty to unpack.
Why Jacksonville Made the Trade
Unsurprisingly, much of the trade can be explained in dollar signs. Campbell signed a four-year, $76.5 million contract extension, with $53.4 million guaranteed, in 2024. Newsome, on the other hand, is in the last year of his deal, making $13.88 this season.
Jacksonville gets to shed a portion of Campbell’s contract while immediately filling his spot at corner. Campbell has played 324 out of 327 defensive snaps so far this season; however, his performance has been inconsistent. He’s allowed 314 pass yards (second-most in the NFL) along with three touchdowns and 21 receptions on 39 targets. While he’s an excellent run defender, logging 34 total tackles in five games, his PFF score is a lackluster 56.6. The Jags will hope that Newsome, graded slightly higher at 63.9, can avoid giving up some of the big downfield plays that have plagued Campbell.
It’s worth noting that former general manager Trent Baalke was the one who signed Campbell to his hefty extension. The trade gives the new coach-GM regime of Liam Coen and James Gladstone greater flexibility to mold future rosters. They have actively reshuffled personnel over the last few weeks. Recent moves include sending Tank Bigby and Fred Johnson to Philadelphia, trading Luke Fortner to the Saints, and acquiring Tim Patrick from the Lions.
Why Cleveland Made the Trade
One day after the Browns traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals, they cut ties with Newsome, another player who doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans. Newsome played 59 games for the Browns over five seasons, with 178 total tackles, three interceptions, and one sack.
For Cleveland, the hope is that Campbell emerges as a reliable starter and that his four-year deal lines up with a playoff window of their own at some point. Campbell’s best season came in 2022, when he had three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 70 total tackles for a Jags team that made the playoffs. It’s possible he can return to that form opposite star cornerback Denzel Ward. There’s also no rush for Campbell to integrate into the Browns’ defensive system, considering the team’s playoff hopes are slim.
Given the flurry of moves both Cleveland and Jacksonville have made of late, it’s likely that Campbell and Newsome won’t be the last two players traded from either team.
Breaking Down the Browns, Jaguars Shocking Trade