Jer’Zhan Newton NFL Draft Overview
Position: Interior Defensive Line
Height: 6’2″ (Unofficial)
Weight: 295 pounds (Unofficial)
School: Illinois
Jer’Zhan Newton 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Illinois interior defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. Newton, a former three-star recruit out of Clearwater, Florida, signed with Illinois in 2020. In his time at Illinois, Newton became one of the most dominant forces in the Big Ten. Newton’s size is unusual for the position, but his skillset makes him a first-round player. While there are concerns about his height and weight, Newton has some elite tape. Newton’s tape in 2022 and 2023 landed him as a seemingly first-round lock.
Newton lined up all over the defensive line for Illinois the last two seasons. He spent his Saturdays wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines. He stands at about 6’2”, 295 pounds. His get-off and pocket-pushing ability make him a disruptor. Newton kept Illinois in the Penn State game seemingly by himself in 2023, tallying six tackles, seven pressures, and two batted passes. Newton also blocked a field goal in that game and lived in the Penn State backfield for the entire afternoon.
Strengths
- Aligns in multiple spots along the defensive line
- Fantastic get-off, exploding off the ball
- Heavy and impactful hands that deliver crushing blows
- Has flashed the ability to play on the edge
- Plays with fantastic leverage
- Not a one-trick pony, has an array of different countermoves
- Great athlete for someone pushing 300 pounds
- Quickness flashes on tape
Illinois IDL Jer’Zhan Newton
A blend of explosion, power, and first step quickness out of the starting blocks. Consistent first level penetrator. pic.twitter.com/hIpvugPLmd
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) July 27, 2023
Weaknesses
- Not an ideal size profile for the position
- Length leaves much to be desired
- Difficulty taking on double-teams
- Can occasionally get washed down in the run game
- Average to below-average strength for the position
NFL Comparison: Supercharged Solomon Thomas (2017, Pick 3)
Jer’Zhan Newton Projection: Top 20 Pick
Best Fits: Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets
Bottom Line on Jer’Zhan Newton
The gap between Jer’Zhan Newton and the rest of the interior defensive line class is about as big of a gap as any other position. Newton has been one of the best defensive linemen in the country for two seasons. While Newton is good against the run, he makes his hay as a pass rusher. There is nothing more frustrating for a quarterback than interior pressure, which Newton provides in spades. Whether it be with his quickness or array of pass-rush moves, Newton finds himself constantly in the backfield.
2024 #NFLDraft IDL Pass Rush Win %:
20.1%- Byron Murphy II, Texas
15.5%- Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
15.2%- T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
14.7%- Leonard Taylor III, Miami
10.4%- Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
9.9%- Kris Jenkins, Michigan
pic.twitter.com/3BvjsSomt1— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) December 9, 2023
Players like Jer’Zhan Newton were once overlooked. A smaller, shorter, and short-armed defensive tackle would have been an afterthought in the first round. However, Aaron Donald has completely changed the way that NFL evaluators look at the position. That is a comparison that will get thrown around quite a bit. While it is irresponsible to compare a prospect to the greatest defensive player of the 21st century, the playstyles do feel similar. Overall, Newton is a fantastic prospect who should make a team and coaching staff incredibly happy.
Main Image: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
