NFL Draft Buzz Draft Profile

DRAFT PROFILE: BIO

Jer’Zhan Newton (known as Johnny), a defensive lineman from the University of Illinois, emerged from Clearwater, Florida as a three-star recruit. At Illinois, Newton quickly made a name for himself, demonstrating a strong presence on the defensive line. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 295 pounds, he has been a versatile player, lining up in various positions on the line.

In the 2023 game against Penn State, Newton showcased his disruptive abilities, recording six tackles, seven pressures, and two batted passes, in addition to blocking a field goal. His performance throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons was consistently dominating.

Newton’s accolades include being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. He was also a two-time All-American in 2022 and 2023, and a team captain in his final year. His achievements were further recognized with a selection to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2022.

From his freshman year in 2020, Newton was impactful, playing 8 games making 15 tackles, 11 assists, 13 stops, and 6 total pressures. He built on this foundation in his sophomore year, increasing his stats across the board where in 12 games he added 27 tackles, 17 assists, 19 stops, and 15 total pressures.
2023 was his best year by far as he made 43 total pressures, along with 8 sacks and 28 hurries.

Overall, Newton is projected as a starting 3-technique interior DL, known for his impact in both run and passing downs.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS

• Newton’s alignment versatility is a key strength, effectively shifting across multiple spots on the defensive line with tactical precision.
• His explosive get-off is a major disruptor; Newton consistently beats linemen off the snap with his quick burst.
• Utilizes heavy, impactful hands for crushing blows, showcasing advanced hand-fighting techniques
• Demonstrates the flexibility to play on the edge, indicating a broad skill set beyond typical interior line duties.
• Exceptional leverage, using his size and technique to gain upper hand in the trenches.
• Armed with an array of countermoves, he’s not just a power player but a strategic rusher with a diverse skill set.
• For a near 300-pound athlete, his agility and quickness stand out, making him a dual threat in both run and pass situations.
• Displays strong point of attack capabilities against the run, with natural leverage and ability to control engagements.

SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES

• Newton’s size profile is less than ideal for a defensive tackle, potentially impacting his effectiveness against larger NFL linemen.
• Lacks the desired arm length, which could limit his ability to extend and control engagements at the next level.
• Struggles with handling double-team blocks
• Can be prone to getting manhandled in the run game, indicating a need for improvement in maintaining his position against aggressive run blocks.
• His get-off and acceleration off the snap is only average – reduces the effectiveness of his speed rush

PLAYER COMPARISON

Calijah Kancey

SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY

Jer’Zhan Newton, despite being on the smaller side for a defensive lineman, stands out for his dynamic play at Illinois. His ability to hold his ground against the run, coupled with his agility, makes him a versatile defender. Newton isn’t just about brute strength; his mobility allows him to move, making plays all along the line.

Newton shines in his pass-rushing role, where his quick hands and diverse skill set come into play. He’s adept at using a variety of techniques to get past blockers, combining agility with elite flexibility for a player of his size. This makes him a consistent threat in the backfield and an outstanding interior rusher.

Although Newton’s size isn’t exactly prototypical for an NFL tackle, his performance speaks for itself. His speed off the snap may not be the quickest, but he still manages to wreak havoc in the backfield He leverages his size to his advantage, using his compact frame and technical prowess to challenge bigger linemen.

Looking at Newton’s overall potential, he fits well as a starting 3-technique interior DL in the NFL. His overall skill set is no doubt elite but will need to be teamed with a bigger run-stuffing defensive tackle in order to get the next out of him at the next level and justify a first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL.com Draft Profile

Overview

Active interior defender with the potential to build on his disruptive production in college. Newton’s size and length don’t stand out, but he has shown a consistent ability to gain extension and set edges against bigger opponents. Newton is clever in setting up blockers and then beating them with sudden hand usage and foot quickness as both a run defender and a pass rusher. He’s strong enough to hold the point, but he’s not going to overwhelm NFL guards with force or power. His skill level and athleticism should create additional playmaking opportunities for him as a three-down 3-technique with early starting potential.

Strengths

• Compact and muscular with plenty of upper-body power.
• Loose-limbed and athletic with ability to run the field like a big defensive end.
• Able to press and set firm edges using either hand for either gap.
• Agility and suddenness unlock slide-and-slap move to beat guards quickly.
• Tape shows a player capable of rushing with purpose and a plan.
• Outstanding instincts and timing for beating blocker’s edge.
• Foot quickness creates mismatches for plodding pass protectors.
• Edge to edge attacking mindset creates secondary pressures and sacks.

Weaknesses

• Tends to catch rather than jolt blockers at initial contact.
• Needs to tighten up his shed timing as a tackler.
• Occasionally loses rush lane integrity when searching for pressure.
• Shaky pad level prevents consistent pocket push as power rusher.

Carl Lawson Visited with Miami