Where does CB Greg Newsome II @gnewsii project himself to go in this year’s NFL draft and why? And which current NFL CBs does he study most? He told me @NUFBFamily #ProDay💪
(Part 2 of my 1-on-1 here @nflnetwork)👇 pic.twitter.com/vGRDzaYkhE
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 10, 2021
In three short years, Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has turned himself into a player that young cornerbacks entering the NFL look up to and watch at the position.
Northwestern cornerback and top 2021 draft prospect Greg Newsome told Stacey Dales of NFL Network that Alexander is one of three cornerbacks he watches the most.
“I’m watching a bunch. I like Jaire. I watch Richard Sherman, and Jalen Ramsey. Really, those are the three guys I’m watching,” Newsome told Dales.
Alexander, a first-round pick of the Packers in 2018, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He was also a second-team All-Pro and the highest-graded cornerback overall at Pro Football Focus.
A rare mix of athleticism, toughness and swagger, Alexander is now a cornerback worth emulating for young players.
Newsome, who could be a first-round pick in April, said his “coverage versatility” makes him one of the best prospects at the position in the 2021 class.
“I can do it all, whether that’s Cover-4, man, Cover-3, I think my coverage versatility makes me one of the best if not the best cornerback in the draft. I think the sky is the limit for me,” Newsome said.
The Packers met virtually with Newsome, and general manager Brian Gutekunst was in Evanston to see Northwestern’s pro day earlier this week. Newsome was likely the main attraction, especially for a team looking to find a cornerback capable of playing opposite Alexander on the perimeter of the Packers defense.
In 2018, Gutekunst traded up to take Alexander at No. 18 overall. It’s possible Newsome won’t last until No. 29 overall in this year’s draft. If Newsome gives off Jaire-like vibes during the pre-draft process, the Packers could be tempted to move up and get him.
