Giants Offseason Signing Named Potential Bust in 2026

The New York Giants signed Greg Newsome II to a short-term, big-money deal. But it may not age well.

Newsome was listed as the Giants' potential bust candidate for 2026 by Bleacher Report, which named one for each of the 32 teams Friday.

The Giants signed Newsome to a one-year, $8 million this offseason and anointed him their No. 2 cornerback opposite 2025 free-agent addition Paulson Adebo.

Newsome has 207 tackles and four interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown, over his 71-game, five-season NFL career.

Greg Newsome II Named Potential Giants Bust Candidate

Newsome is on his third team in five years after the Cleveland Browns selected him with the 26th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

So this could be his last chance in the league. He finished with the 85th-best cornerback grade of 114 qualifiers (55.4) by Pro-Football Focus while splitting time between the Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville acquired Newsome in October.

"He gave up five touchdowns and allowed a 107.5 passer rating in 12 outings with the Jaguars," Moton wrote. "If he doesn't break out of a coverage funk, the Giants will have their newly signed $8 million cornerback on the sideline for most of the season."

Greg Newsome II Will Start for the Giants, but They Have Other Options if he Struggles

Competition continues to be the watch word under head coach John Harbaugh. Giants fans should welcome that too, since an uncompetitive roster typically leads to bad players or fits playing too much time.

So Newsome will enter training camp at The Greenbrier as a starting cornerback. But where he finishes will be up to him.

"He was traded to the Jaguars early last season and struggled while splitting snaps in Jacksonville," Dan Duggan of The Athletic wrote this week. "Newsome is penciled in as the starting corner opposite Adebo, but he’ll need to fend off Deonte Banks and Colton Hood for the job."

Banks, like Newsome, is also a first-round talent who has had an up-and-down career. Banks had a worse PFF grade than Newsome in 2025, finishing 112th out of 114, and had just five passes defended in 15 games last year.

Hood was a second-round draft pick from Tennessee in 2026, who the Giants undoubtedly hope will unseat both Newsome and Banks to start at some point this season -- or 2027.

Fortunately, the Giants only gave Newsome a one-year contract, which means it won't hurt as bad long term if he finishes the season watching Hood or Banks as the starter.