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Green Bay Packers: former 1st round CB named perfect free agent target for 2026 NFL season

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 1:29 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers are highly believed to be interested in adding to their cornerback room in 2026. Despite Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine all returning, the fact of the matter is that none of them played up to the standards set for them in 2025. Nixon may have made the Pro Bowl and had 17 pass breakups, but he also gave up big plays and his effort was questioned at times, especially in the postseason.

There are, of course, plenty of cornerbacks that the Packers could look at taking in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. However, they may also look to the free agent market, as they did last year when they signed Hobbs. If they do that, though, the signing needs to work out better than Hobbs’ did.

One potential target that keeps on being mentioned as a possibility in Green Bay is Greg Newsome II.

Greg Newsome II named as perfect NFL free agent fit for the Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers named best fit for former 1st round cornerback in free agency 2 Jan 11, 2026; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II (6) warms up before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Buffalo Bills at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Over a week ago, it was reported that ESPN had named the Packers as the best possible landing spot for Newsome, a former first round pick who was traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

On Thursday, Bleacher Report released an article that named the perfect free agent fit for each NFL team. Newsome, again, was named for Green Bay:

“Addressing the cornerback position has to be a priority for Green Bay. Realistically, that could mean taking multiple swings at the position. That might have them avoiding the top-end of the free agent class.

“Fortunately, there are a lot of intriguing options and that includes Greg Newsome. The 25-year-old has experience playing in the slot and the outside. He would be a logical fit in Jonathan Gannon’s zone schemes and would be affordable enough that the Packers can make another signing in the secondary.”

The problem, though, is that Newsome has allowed a passer rating over 100 when targeted in each of the past two seasons. Perhaps joining Jonathan Gannon in Green Bay could help him improve, but there are no guarantees.

That being said, Spotrac has Newsome’s market value as three years and a little over $27 million, or $9 million a season. This would be an affordable contract for the cost-conscious Packers.

At the end of the day, though, it seems like it will be more likely that Green Bay will stockpile some corners in the NFL Draft as they prepare for the eventual departures of their veterans following the 2026 season.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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