The Las Vegas Raiders have made some notable strides this offseason in stabilizing the franchise, with notable moves like the hiring of head coach Pete Carroll and trading for quarterback Geno Smith. But despite these improvements, one glaring need still looms over the roster: the cornerback position.
In ESPN’s latest trade pitch, the Raiders are proposed to acquire Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2026 seventh-rounder. At first, it feels like an absolute steal for Las Vegas. But the deal is much more complex when factoring in contract obligations.
Raiders Trade Proposal for Greg Newsome II Could Address Secondary Woes
GettyGreg Newsome II would help provide a much-needed boost to the Las Vegas Raiders’ secondary.
Newsome is entering the final year of his rookie contract, with a fully guaranteed $13.4 million due in 2025 following the Browns’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option. That price tag has made him a borderline asset, particularly after a rough 2024 season in which he posted career-worst metrics: 1.4 yards allowed per coverage snap, +10 expected points added (EPA) allowed, and a 15% target rate.
Still, the former first-rounder has shown he can be more than serviceable. In 2022 and 2023, Newsome allowed just 0.7 and 0.9 yards per coverage snap, respectively, which are both better-than-average figures for a starting corner. The inconsistency is a cause for concern, but in a new system and with a defensive-minded coach like Carroll, who’s known to bring out the best in his corners, the Raiders have a reason to believe he can rebound.
Before last season, Newsome also earned a 68.0 grade or better in three straight seasons, according to Pro Football Focus, and was sixth in the NFL in 2023 in press coverage with a 75.8 grade.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Las Vegas
If Las Vegas hopes to take the next step from a rebuilding team to a legitimate playoff contender, addressing the secondary could help speed up the process. With over $90 million in projected cap space for 2026, the Raiders can not only take up Newsome’s $13.4 million in guaranteed money but extend him after this season. If he doesn’t perform, the Raiders can simply let the contract expire without long-term repercussions.
From a value perspective, it’s difficult to argue against this move. The Raiders would essentially be taking a low-risk, high-reward swing by flipping a future seventh-rounder for a former first-round talent and adding another seventh-rounder down the line.
For Cleveland, the trade would hurt, especially with the news that cornerback Martin Emerson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, but the Browns are already $35.4 million in the red in 2026, per OverTheCap.com, and are not expected to be true contenders anytime soon. It would be awesome to keep Newsome, but this might be a necessary move for the Browns.
All things considered, ESPN’s trade proposal aligns well with Las Vegas’ needs and current trajectory. It offers the team a chance to upgrade a major weakness without significant cost, and if Carroll’s track record with defensive backs is any indication, Newsome could benefit immensely from a change of scenery.
Raiders Could Strike Gold with Low-Stakes Trade Pitch