/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68955361/1171795392.0.jpg)
According to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman (subscription), the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome with the 21st overall pick in his debut 2021 NFL Mock Draft:
21. Indianapolis Colts: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
It’ll be tempting to not grab an O-lineman, but I think they take the 6-foot-1, 190 pounder. Newsome had an excellent 2020 on a very good Wildcats defense. The long corner, who had nine PBUs in six games, was a big reason why Northwestern led the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2020.
The Coaching Intel
“He and that entire secondary were so well-coached that they were never out of position. He always played with proper leverage and did a great job of reading the QB to get an early jump on passes. He is far more athletic than what you’d expect for Northwestern.”
The 6’1”, 190 pound junior cornerback recorded 12 tackles (8 solo), an interception, and 9 pass breakups during 6 starts for the Wildcats in 2020—earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors.
He had an impressive physical showcase at Northwestern’s recent Pro Day—and among those executives and scouts in attendance was Colts general manager Chris Ballard:
.@NUFBFamily CB Greg Newsome II just ran an unofficial 4.31 40-yard dash. @gnewsii
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2021
: Pro Day coverage continues all month long on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/iTkZ7owjq4
Toughest phone call last summer was when @NUFBFamily told us junior CB Greg Newsome wouldn’t be December grad for @seniorbowl. Cleanest feet of any CB in draft. Easy first-rounder.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 9, 2021
6000
192
8 7/8 hand
31 1/8 arm
73 6/8 wing
4.37/4.40
40 VJ
10-3 BJ
4.28 SS
6.94 3-cone
18 reps pic.twitter.com/LVRc1jSAws
I think Northwestern CB Greg Newsome just punched his first-round card today with his pro day workout and numbers.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) March 9, 2021
Wildcats have had only 8 first-rounders ever — and only 3 in the modern era
Could have 2 this year ... @NUFBFamily
Thanks to @Marcus_Mosher for keeping an eye out and @JimNagy_SB for posting.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 10, 2021
Greg Newsome is a CB prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.51 #RAS out of a possible 10. This ranked 86 out of 1722 CB from '87 to '21.
Splits projected.https://t.co/gF4V3cZFxP pic.twitter.com/860RlPmZbO
Greg Newsome II (@gnewsii) thinks there's nobody better @NUFBFamily | h/t @staceydales pic.twitter.com/xR2avv2w0o
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 10, 2021
Newsome is currently NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah’s 31st best ranked prospect overall, but after his strong Pro Day peformance/physical measurables, his stock is clearly on the rise:
31. Greg Newsome II
Northwestern · CB · Junior
Newsome is a tall, agile cornerback. He played a lot of off coverage in Northwestern’s scheme. He stays crouched in his pedal and is always under control. He’s fluid when he opens up to turn and carry vertical routes. He stays in phase and he can locate/play the ball. He doesn’t have an explosive plant/drive, but he does have the awareness to anticipate throws. He has excellent instincts versus the run and pass. Against the run, he will hang on blocks too long at times, but he is a solid tackler once he frees himself. I expect Newsome to develop into a reliable starting cornerback very early in his NFL career.
The Colts have a significant hole at starting outside cornerback, as veteran starters Xavier Rhodes (30) and T.J. Carrie (30) are both free agents. Even if either (or both) is (are) re-signed, the Colts still have a need to get younger at the position entirely—as both Rhodes and Carrie are ‘getting a little bit long in the tooth’ age-wise regardless.
Second-year cornerback Rock Ya-Sin had his fair share of struggles last season and can’t be safely penciled into a starting spot (but not completely written off either), while fellow would-be ‘sophomore’ cornerback Marvell Tell sat out the entirety of this past season as a COVID-19 precaution.
Newsome, along with South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn, could be top cornerback prospects that the Colts could highly consider with the 21st overall selection—if the team doesn’t ultimately trade down from the spot:
Looking at the CBs, @movethesticks says there is separation between the top 2 (Farley/Surtain) and the next 2 (Jaycee Horn/Greg Newsome II). Expects 4 R1 corners.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 9, 2021
Jeremiah says Newsome is “quickly closing that space” between him and Horn … & that Newsome could be CB3.
Newsome is long with athleticism—featuring ball skills and is a willing defender against the run. He was highly productive at Northwestern and fits what the Colts typically covet at the cornerback position regarding their ideal prototype.
It also helps he’s adept in zone coverage—which the Colts frequently deploy.
Given the talent, natural fit, positional need—and Indianapolis’ underlying interest, Newsome’s definitely a top cornerback prospect to watch ahead of late April’s NFL Draft:
#Northwestern CB Greg Newsome II (6-foot-1, 190) —
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 8, 2021
Technician on tape. Length to create ball disruption. Play-strength shows in coverage/run support. Makes up for lack of twitch with eyes/instincts. Fits in multiple NFL schemes (man/zone).@NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/3wZce9Pjtr