Tag: Jer’Zhan Newton

Commanders rookie Jer’Zhan Newton making waves

Commanders rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton led all interior defensive lineman in pressure rating in Week 8.

The Washington Commanders drafted defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. A standout Big Ten defender out of Illinois, Newton wasn’t necessarily expected to make a huge impact this season. No one told Newton that, though, as he led all interior defensive linemen in Week 8 for pressures.


In seven games this season, Newton has recorded 14 tackles (nine solo), one fumble recovery and 2.5 stuffs. Against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Newton added three tackles, one stuff and a fumble recovery. By contrast, Jonathan Allen has recorded 15 tackles (13 solo) and two sacks. Allen was placed on injured reserve after Week 6 when he suffered a pectoral injury.

Newton had to earn that starting spot, though. And with that opportunity, Newton is showing the league that there’s more to him than anyone initially thought. He’s made the leap to the NFL game and has transitioned with ease.

The Commanders’ defense isn’t often talked about this season because Jayden Daniels and the offense have been so dynamic, but don’t count out the defense. They are quietly doing their part and getting better every week.

Commanders injury report: Johnny Newton upgraded

Newton was limited on Thursday.

The Washington Commanders returned to the practice field on Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s home opener against the New York Giants from Northwest Stadium.

Rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton continues to trend in a positive direction. Head coach Dan Quinn said the Commanders have brought Newton along slowly after a pair of offseason foot surgeries and continue to ramp up his activity.

“So we pushed it hard with him, conditioning yesterday, hold today, but we wanted the padded day for him tomorrow,” Quinn said Wednesday. We’re trending in the right way.”

Quinn indicated the team would have a clearer indication on Friday about whether Newton would play Sunday or not.

“We’ll kind of have a better sense for when we get to Friday, but he’s definitely trending in the right spot,” Quinn said. “So, we’re close for sure, but I’ll trust my eyes and make sure he is going through the whole process to get ready.”

Emmanuel Forbes was limited on Thursday with a thumb injury, but it was later revealed that he’d be undergoing surgery on Friday. It’s unknown if the Commanders will place Forbes on the reserve/injured list, but if they did, he would miss at least four games.

Here is Washington’s full injury report from Thursday:

Did not participate: N/A

Limited participants: CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot)

Full participants: OT Brandon Coleman (shoulder), S Tyler Owens (ankle), RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee), OT Trent Scott (knee)

The Giants released their injury report, and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was limited on Thursday due to a knee injury.

 

 

Commanders injury report: Ertz, Newton do not practice on Wednesday

The first injury report of the week is here.

The Washington Commanders returned to the practice field on Wednesday to begin preparations for their Week 2 game against the New York Giants. It’s the home opener for the Commanders and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The two longtime rivals both suffered double-digit defeats in Week 1 and look to get on track in Week 2.

Two players did not practice on Wednesday. Veteran tight end Zach Ertz received a rest day, while rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton missed practice again but is nearing a return, according to head coach Dan Quinn.

“We pushed it hard with him, conditioning yesterday, hold today, but we wanted the padded day for him tomorrow,” Quinn said of Newton. “We’re trending in the right way, much like we were talking about with Noah. We’ll kind of have a better sense for when we get to Friday, but he’s definitely trending in the right spot.”

It would be good news for the Commanders to have Newton back. He missed the entire preseason and Week 1.

Here is Washington’s full injury report from Wednesday:

Did not participate: TE Zach Ertz (NIR/rest), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot/NIR)

Limited participants: S Tyler Owens (ankle)

Full participants: OT Brandon Coleman (shoulder), CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb), RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee), OT Trent Scott (knee)

Commanders’ Week 1 inactive list vs. Buccaneers

Who is in and who is out for the Commanders and Buccaneers in Week 1?

The Washington Commanders revealed their inactive list for the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and it contained at least one surprise.

First, here are the inactives:

  • QB Sam Hartman
  • WR Noah Brown
  • S Darrick Forrest
  • LB Dominique Hampton
  • G Chris Paul
  • DT Jer’Zhan Newton

Brown was signed late last month after the Texans released him, and he was immediately expected to have a significant role for Washington on special teams and at wide receiver. Brown could still be getting up to speed on the offense before the Commanders play him.

Newton missed practice last week, but head coach Dan Quinn believes he’s close to a full return.

Hartman was promoted to the active roster on Saturday when Washington placed Marcus Mariota on the reserve/injured list with a designation to return.

Commanders place rookie DT Johnny Newton on NFI list to open training camp

No surprise. Newton to begin training camp on NFI list.

The Washington Commanders’ 2024 rookie class reported to Ashburn for training camp on Thursday. The entire team is due in town next week for the official start of camp.

On Friday, the Commanders made a roster move that everyone expected. Second-round pick, defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton was placed on the NFI (non-football injury list).

A proper explanation for the NFI list is that it’s a roster designation for players unable to practice due to an injury not related to football or an injury that did not happen in an NFL game or practice.

For Newton, it’s the latter. The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton suffered a partial Jones fracture in his right foot during his final season at Illinois. Despite the injury, Newton was still the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. As he was recovering from the injury, doctors realized he had a similar condition with his left foot and underwent surgery this spring.

It’s unknown exactly when the second foot injury was diagnosed. It could explain Newton’s fall from out of the first round, as the Commanders were elated to select him at 36th overall.

According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the Commanders can activate Newton at any time, and there is currently no timetable for his return.

Watch highlights of new Commanders DT Johnny Newton

Highlights of Washington’s second-round pick, DT Johnny Newton.

The Washington Commanders were sitting in a prime position when the second round of the 2024 NFL draft opened on Friday night. Picking No. 36 and No. 40, the Commandeers had a chance to add two premium players who just missed the first round.

With pick No. 36, Washington surprisingly selected Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. The surprise came from the defensive tackle position being the Commanders’ best position group.

This was a case of general manager Adam Peters truly following his board. Yes, Washington has Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but Peters’ goal was to restock the roster with talented players — not necessarily specific positions.

Peters has confidence in coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to get the most out of Newton, which will include him being on the field at the same time as the two older stars.

Many believed Newton would land somewhere in the first round, as Quinn and Peters told him they were shocked he was still available. The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton was a three-year starter for the Illini, where in his senior season, he was a first-team All-American and named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Here are some highlights from Newton’s time at Illinois.

Who was the Bucs’ backup plan in the 1st round?

See who the Bucs likely would have taken in the first round had Graham Barton been off the board

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were thrilled to land Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, as most expected him to be off the board before the No. 26 overall selection.

If he had been off the board, though, would the Bucs have pivoted to the next-best interior offensive lineman available, such as Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson?

No, according to Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report, who says that Tampa Bay’s backup plan in the first round was Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton.

Newton ended up landing at the top of the second round with the Washington Commanders, but he was widely regarded as a surefire first-round talent as one of the top defensive prospects in the entire draft.

While some might have been puzzled by the Bucs using their top pick on an interior defender for the third year in a row, 2022 second-round pick Logan Hall has yet to live up to his original draft slot, and Newton would have provided Tampa Bay with an immediate upgrade alongside Vita Vea and Caljah Kancey.

It’s all a moot point now, though, as the Bucs landed their top target in Barton as the new anchor for the interior of their offensive line.

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Bengals ‘coveted’ Jer’Zhan Newton but cost to trade up was too high

The Bengals apparently liked Jer’Zhan Newton, but not enough to trade up.

Jer’Zhan Newton was a very common mock draft target for the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

As it usually happens, the draft didn’t pan out that way — Newton came off the board at No. 36 overall to Washington, just four picks into Friday’s second round.

But it does sound like the Bengals were tracking Newton’s movements closely.

This blurb from Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com hints that the price to move up in that mid-30s range was simply too steep:

In order to get him, they had to wait 10 excruciating picks after Braden Fiske became the fourth D-Tackle to go in five selections. The guy they coveted, Illinois’ Johhny Newton, was too far to go get and was gone by the fourth pick of the day at No. 36.

The writeup does stress that eventual 49th pick Kris Jenkins was a massive target for the front office, too. In fact, Bengals personnel were more than happy to admit in post-pick pressers that they were sweating a lot while waiting to see if the Michigan standout would fall.

To address life post-DJ Reader, the Bengals grabbed Jenkins and then McKinnley Jackson at No. 97, though what’s interesting is none really appear to offer the pass-rush that Newton can from the middle.

Either way, it sounds like Newton will be one of those what if? narratives to watch in the coming years.

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Commanders select Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton at No. 36 overall

The Commanders select the Big Ten defensive player of the year.

The Washington Commanders selected Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

The 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton was a three-year starter for the Fighting Illini, twice earning first-team All-Big Ten conference and was also a two-time All-American.

Newton is a bit of a surprising pick, considering Washington’s defensive tackle depth. The Commanders have Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne under contract. Washington also has third-year defensive tackles John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis. Mathis was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Newton was considered by some to be the top defensive tackle in the draft but is dealing with a foot injury.

Here is Newton’s scouting report from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

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.

Washington Commanders select Illinois DL Johnny (Jer’zhan) Newton with the 36th overall pick. Grade: A+

The Washington Commanders got the best defensive tackle in this class in Johnny Newton, and Dan Quinn will unleash hell with him.

Newton was my best defensive tackle in this class, and one of the defensive players. I know that some teams were worried about the Jones fracture in his foot, but he played through it last season and still destroyed just about every offensive lineman he faced. New Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is one of the NFL’s most creative minds in terms of defensive line deployment and scheme (Quinn’s Cowboys led the league in stunts last season), and this match of team and player had the potential to be absolutely incendiary. 

A three-star recruit from Clearwater Central High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jer’Zhan Newton (who has since changed his first name to Johnny) chose Illinois under head coach Lovie Smith over several other programs, and excelled under defensive coordinator Aaron Henry in a defense that has recently put a lot of talent in the NFL, including Seattle Seahawks 2023 first-round cornerback Devon Witherspoon and Philadelphia Eagles 2023 safety Sydney Brown.

In 2023, his fourth year on the field with the Fighting Illini, Newton totaled eight sacks, seven quarterback hits, 28 quarterback hurries, 32 stops, and 33 solo tackles, At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds (unofficial), Newton can disrupt just fine inside, but he also saw 25% of his snaps last season either over or outside the tackles, and he brings an interesting set of techniques to foil blockers on the edge.

Newton should be seen as among the best interior defensive linemen in this draft class, though he can do much more. He did not work out at the combine due to a Jones fracture in his foot — which he played through the second half of his junior season… which makes his 2023 tape all the more impressive.

PLUSES

— Capable of pressure from every gap; spends most of his time at 3-tech, but he’s a disruptor all over the place.

— Gets skinny through gaps like a running back would; gets it done with more than just pass-rush moves.

— Violent with his hands to push through blocks with ridiculous speed — Hits the edge with burst around the turn; can beat tackles with edge techniques.

— Can run multiple gaps at the snap and has good vision to penetrate.

MINUSES

— Size deficits (6′ 1⅝, 304) show up when he’s doubled and can’t break free.

— Slides will have him lost in the wash and trying to recover at times.

— Needs to be less upright off the snap more often; that’s where he loses leverage.

I’ve always had a bias for smaller defensive tackles who can move around. Newton could wind up being another one of those Geno Atkins-style agitators if he gets his leverage together and devises strategies to beat double teams. Overall, about as fun a player to watch as I’ve seen in this draft class.