Browns’ Andrew Berry shuts down idea of team trading away their former top pick

In the last couple of offseasons, there has been one name specifically in trade rumors for the Cleveland Browns. 

Greg Newsome has a player who has been tabbed as a trade candidate for a while now in Cleveland. The former first-round pick is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, though Browns GM Andrew Berry made it clear on Thursday that he has no plans to trade him.

"We have three guys, who can play press-man coverage at a very, very, very high level,” explained Berry. “That's not a skill set that I'm looking to give away."

Now, if a trade came about that blew the Browns out of the water they would surely take it. Until then, the Browns are content with having three cornerbacks on the roster that are above average. Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson Jr. hold things down on the outside, while Newsome has become the guy in the slot for the Browns.

Newsome started his career as an outside guy but that was before the Browns found a gem in Emerson in the third round two drafts ago. Since then, Newsome has been able to embrace the slot role in Jim Schwartz’s defense. The same can not be said when he was in Joe Woods’ system.

Cleveland will soon decide on the fifth-year option of Newsome and they’re expected to pick it up, signaling he will be on the team next season.

After having the first couple of interceptions of his career as well as the first touchdown last season, Newsome can be comfortable within the defense in 2024 knowing that he’s likely safe on the job.