Greg Newsome II has had an interesting ride in his rookie season with the Browns. Cleveland’s first-round pick from Northwestern has had some really strong moments at cornerback, but also battled injuries and adversity in his first NFL season.

Newsome was quick to give loads of credit and praise to fellow CB, Denzel Ward. He spoke highly of Ward’s leadership and mentoring nature in Newsome’s press conference on Thursday.

“I learned a ton from him,” Newsome said of Ward. “Just how to be a pro in general. The biggest thing I learned from him – I have said it before – is just every single day find one thing to focus on at practice and get better at that day. As you do that throughout the season, you will see yourself jumping, becoming more confident and things like that out there on the field. That is probably the biggest takeaway that I learned from him. Just to be a pro all the time, you have to practice how you play; you can’t take a practice off at all.”

So what stands out to Newsome about Ward as a player?

“Everything. He can do it all, literally,” Newsome said with emphasis. “He can play man. He can play zone. You are not going to find pretty much a better corner in the NFL than Denzel Ward. He is a leader by the way he plays and things like that. I honestly feel like he does not have a flaw in his game. He can play press. He can play off. He has tremendous ball skills, as you see him getting picks and pick-sixes. His return skills are good. I feel like he does not have a flaw in his game.”

Newsome has played well in tandem with Ward, but a concussion suffered in practice cost the impressive rookie three games down the stretch. In 11 games, Newsome has 34 tackles and nine PDs. Ward earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2021 for the second time in his four-year career.