As the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off, this year’s prospects gather in Detroit, Michigan to hear their names called between Thursday, April 25 and Saturday, April 27. Illinois Fighting Illini defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton will get his call sooner rather than later as one of the top interior defensive linemen in his class. Newton played for Illinois for four years, and was a standout in both his junior and senior years. In 2022, he had 29 solo tackles and 5.5 sacks, and in 2023, he put up 26 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks. Newton is expected to be a first-rounder, but could potentially drop to the second.
Jer’Zhan Newton: Scouting Report
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted Newton’s average size in his profile of the tackle, but highlighted his quickness off the snap.
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.
Mock Draft landing spots
Mel Kiper has Newton landing with the Bengals in the second round, though it’s not a guarantee that he will still be on the board at pick No. 49. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman places Newton with the Dolphins at No. 21 overall after he “caused all sorts of havoc for opponents while at Illinois.” The Ringer’s Danny Kelly places Newton with the Seahawks at No. 16 overall.