Northwestern cornerback has meeting with Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
Fans of the Arizona Cardinals are well aware of what positions the organization must address this offseason. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s squad has made strides over the past couple of campaigns, but is not yet a Super Bowl-caliber team. Those who follow the Cards would have to agree, however, that a young cornerback should certainly be on general manager Steve Keim’s 2021 wish list.
According to recent reports, members of the Arizona front office have already conducted a virtual meeting with a Northwestern University cover guy. That player, Greg Newsome II, is projected to be a late first-round, early second-round talent. Is it possible that the youngster will be available for the Cardinals on the second day of the upcoming NFL Draft?
The truth is, the 16th-overall selection may be too valuable a pick to use on a prospect like Newsome II. For one thing, their are other corners who are rated higher (Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley) who could be a better option for the Cards on the draft’s first day. Besides that is the fact that the franchise has a plethora of other needs as well.
Newsome II appeared in just three games last fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the limited action, the 6’1,190 pounder was named First-team All Big Ten at the conclusion of the season. Newsome II registered 12 tackles, an interception and seven passes defensed during the shortened campaign.
The year before, in 2019, Newsome II totaled 36 tackles, nine pass breakups and a fumble recovery in eight contests for the Wildcats. In 2018, the Chicago native was credited with 23 tackles and four passes defensed in six appearances for the school. It should be noted that Newsome II has suffered injuries to his ankle, groin during his college career, and something undisclosed that caused him to miss four matchups as a sophomore.
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Arizona holds the 49th-overall choice in the draft’s second round, but there’s a very good chance that Newsome II will be off of the board by then. Of course, moving up in the draft is always a possibility. We”ll find out in April just how interested the Cardinals really are in the talented Northwestern cornerback.