Greg Newsome II is ready to play anywhere in 2023.
And yes, that includes the slot cornerback position, if that's where new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz needs him.
Newsome, who previously expressed displeasure in playing the position for the first time in his career last season, is still open to playing inside this year after talking with Schwartz about what's ahead for the defense in his first season at defensive coordinator.
"Just being able to sit down, talk to him, see a new scheme and things like that," Newsome said. "Talking to Jim Schwartz and being able to get in his new scheme, I feel like we will work very well together."
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A 2021 first-round pick, Newsome was still a reliable cornerback for the Browns last year and finished third among Browns cornerbacks with six pass breakups. He still has yet to record his first career interception, although his 69.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last year was the highest in his two NFL seasons. That grade ranked him 34th among all NFL corners.
Newsome believes he can take another step under the schemes from Schwartz, who has mainly focused his defenses around strong play from the front seven. The secondary, though, should still have plenty of opportunities to thrive if the quarterback is under pressure, which often leads to more errant throws.
"I'm super excited," Newsome said. "His track record speaks for itself. Just the way he uses his defensive line is going to help us corners so much more. Just getting to talk to him, seeing how the scheme is going to be ran. I'm super excited."
Check out photos of Browns players working out during the first week of offseason workouts
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Tight end Jordan Akins (84) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Defensive tackle Roderick Perry II (64) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Director of Strength and Conditioning Larry Jackson during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (51) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Guard Dawson Deaton (52) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Quarterback Kellen Mond (7) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Running back Nate McCrary during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Offensive guard Wes Martin (67) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Mike Harley Jr. (82) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Quarterback Josh Dobbs (15) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Running back Demetric Felton Jr. (25) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Daylen Baldwin (17) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Tight end Jordan Akins (84) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (9) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a workout in Phase I of the offseason at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on April 19, 2023.
Newsome said he doesn't know what his exact role will be yet, but he knows that cornerbacks will be tasked with handling a variety of duties under Schwartz. No one will be locked into any specific position on the outside or inside.
Schwartz has plenty of options to deploy. Newsome will once again join Denzel Ward and M.J. Emerson Jr. at the top of the cornerback depth chart, with A.J. Green, Mike Ford and Thomas Graham Jr. all set to compete for backup roles come training camp.
Ward, Newsome and Emerson all helped the cornerback position remain one of the steadiest positions on the Browns last season, with Ward and Emerson both tying for the team lead with 15 pass breakups.
"With his new scheme, I feel like if you watch his stuff with the corners he's had before, everyone plays a lot of everything," Newsome said. "I don't know exactly what my role will be, but just talking to him, I'm super excited to get with my new teammates and get ready for this new season."
Outside or inside, Newsome is prepared to take on whatever job he's needed for in his third season.
"I feel like I'm super confident in whatever role I'll need to have for that game or that week," he said. "I'm super confident I'll be able to get the job done."
