Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton Can Be an Immediate Starter in the Vikings Defense
Josh Frey
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Much of the focus for the 2024 NFL Draft lies on the offensive side of the ball.
There are a number of talented QB prospects who could go at or near the top of the draft while WR Marvin Harrison Jr. looks like a potential Pro Bowler at the wide receiver position.
However, there is plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball as well, and few are as intriguing as Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton. In today’s edition of the Vikings Draft Thermometer series, we’ll be discussing how Newton has risen near the top of many draft boards throughout the year, and whether or not the Vikings should consider him with the 11th overall pick.
Overview
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 295 pounds
- Arm Length: TBD
- Hand Size: TBD
- 40-Yard Dash: TBD
- School: Illinois
- Games Watched: Minnesota (2023), Wisconsin (2023), Northwestern (2023)
Newton committed to the University of Illinois after spending his high school years at Clearwater Central Catholic high school in Clearwater, Florida. According to 247 Sports, Newton was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked 1057th in the 2020 recruiting class that included a ton of talent at the defensive tackle position, including Bryan Bresee, Jalen Carter, Gervon Dexter, and current Viking, Jaquelin Roy.
Since his enrollment at Illinois, Newton has only risen in the ranks of defensive players in college football. He has been the anchor in the middle of a ferocious Fighting Illini defense that has sent many players to the NFL in recent years, including Sydney Brown, Jartavius Martin, and Devon Witherspoon. Today, we’ll be examining why Newton should be one of the first defenders off the board in this spring’s draft.
Statistics
- 2020: 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble (7 games)
- 2021: 50 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks (12 games)
- 2022: 62 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries (13 games)
- 2023: 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery (12 games)
Strengths
The best part of Newton’s game is his versatility, and this skillset is what ultimately should land him among the top defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft. The defensive tackle has an innate ability to impact the game both as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer because of his freakish athletic ability over the middle of the trenches.
Newton was one of 12 defensive tackles in college football to be graded at 75.0 or higher both as a run-stopper and in the pass-rush by PFF (minimum of 400 defensive snaps played). In addition, he was often utilized in multiple spots on Illinois’ defensive line. He could line up as a true defensive tackle in the B-gap, or he could take on offensive tackles off the edge.
The expert use of his hands to fight with opposing offensive linemen gave Newton the advantage in a number of situations, and his motor his unmatched at the position. He played 749 defensive snaps for Illinois, tying for the second-most in the FBS at defensive tackle.
Weaknesses
The main concern with Newton heading into the draft is his size. He could benefit from packing on some extra bulk to truly hang with some of the larger guards at the NFL level, and while I don’t put a ton of stock in the NFL scouting combine as a whole, it will be interesting to see what his arm length and wingspan end up being.
For an undersized defensive tackle, being able to gain leverage with his arms and lower center of gravity is crucial. At the end of the day, Newton has made it work in the Big Ten because of his freakish athletic ability. That could be enough for him to be successful, but he can become a true monster in the trenches if he puts on a few pounds while also maintaining that athleticism.
NFL Projection
- Draft Stock: Top 10-Mid First Round
- Immediate Role: Starting 3-Tech/5-Tech depending on scheme
- Best-Case Scenario: Quinnen Williams
- Worst-Case Scenario: Jerry Tillery
- Vikings Draft Thermometer (1-100): 45
In the end, Newton should certainly be the first defensive tackle off the board in April if not the first overall defensive player off the board. His potential is incredible because of how he can impact defenses across the line while also being a force to be reckoned with as a pass-rusher.
If the Vikings were not to select a quarterback in the first round, Newton should be the choice at No. 11 overall. They need an athletic, pass-rushing presence in the middle of their defensive line in 2024, and the Illinois product looks like exactly that.
Editor’s Note: Information from 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus, and Sports Reference CFB were used for this article.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.