Tag: Jer’Zhan Newton

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.

Chargers mock draft roundup: Who Los Angeles is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

Analysts project what the Chargers will do with their picks on Day 2.

The Chargers came out of the first round with offensive tackle Joe Alt. After the selection, Los Angeles should have their focus on wide receiver, cornerback and the interior part of the defensive line.

General manager Joe Hortiz will have picks No. 37 and 69 to add more talent to the roster.

With that, here’s a glimpse at who L.A. could add on Friday based on what a few mock drafts are projecting.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso 

Round 2: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Analysis: “Keon Coleman is a young wideout who plays a tick faster than his timed speed and flashes acrobatic catch skill.”

Round 3: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein

Round 2: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

Analysis: “Fiske is all gas and no brakes on every single snap, which is exactly what Jim Harbaugh is looking for.”

Round 3: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko & Trevor Sikkema

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Analysis: “The Chargers need to improve almost everywhere on defense. They find a versatile defensive lineman in Newton. He has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment from three-technique to five-technique.”

Round 3: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

“Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.”

NBC Sports’ Eric Froton

Round 2: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Analysis: “A tweener who many scouts profile as a slot corner/safety in addition to having game-breaking punt return prowess, DeJean allowed a 38% catch rate with just 44 YAC on 20 receptions this season. The Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and member of the famed Bruce Feldman “Freaks List”, DeJean could be the Chargers’ new version of Eric Weddle.”

Round 3: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

ESPN’s Steve Muench

Round 2: WR Ladd McConkey

Analysis: “The Chargers address their most pressing need at receiver after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason, snagging the No. 31 overall player on my board.”

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame

Round 2: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Round 3: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler

Round 2: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

Round 3: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Analysis: “Given the Chargers’ need for another running back and Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for Corum, this match feels almost too obvious.”

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Cory Bonini’s 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0

Quarterbacks dominate our final mock draft update of 2024.

Here’s my final 2024 NFL mock draft. Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page for the rest of our mocks, player scouting reports, and post-draft analysis of every key pick relevant to fantasy football.

*projected trade

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ESPN’s Jordan Reid gives Vikings two new leaders in final mock draft

Its been highly debated what type of draft the Vikings are shaping up to have, ESPN’s Jordan Reid gives his final predictions for the team.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid has a strong connection to Minnesota and a unique understanding of how this franchise operates. When he speaks about the Minnesota Vikings, everyone should listen.

We listened, and we loved the final selections he made for the team in the first round of his final mock draft.

In his final mock draft, he has the Vikings trading up for a quarterback, but not to the usual spot we see. He has Kwesi Adofo-Mensah taking advantage of a slide coming for J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings General Manager trades up with the Atlanta Falcons to get to the 8th overall selection and only had to send them their 11th and a package of other picks.

They keep their 23rd overall pick but only from being included in the trade-up with the Falcons. Reid then has the Vikings trading back from 23 to 27 while picking up some day-two draft capital, to which they currently have none. The fallback not only gets them extra draft capital but also allows them to get one of the best defenders in the draft, Jer’Zhan Newton.

The Illinois defensive lineman is a bulldozer of a player and plays an old-school style of football that Vikings fans will appreciate. The franchise has a rich history of mauling defensive linemen, Newton will be the next installment.

If the team can land J.J. McCarthy and Jer’Zhan Newton while adding some day-two draft capital, consider it a home run. This is the new dream scenario if you are the Vikings or fans of the team. Time will only tell if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can pull it off.

2024 NFL mock draft: Kevin Hickey

Several projected trades reshape the draft landscape.

Kevin Hickey’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
12 Denver Broncos EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
13 Las Vegas Raiders CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
14 New Orleans Saints OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
15 Indianapolis Colts WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
16 Seattle Seahawks DL Byron Murphy II Texas
17 Jacksonville Jaguars CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
18 Cincinnati Bengals DL Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
19 Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins OT Graham Barton Duke
22 Buffalo Bills (from PHI)* WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
24 Dallas Cowboys OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
25 Green Bay Packers OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
28 Philadelphia Eagles (from BUF)* CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
29 Detroit Lions EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
30 Baltimore Ravens EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
31 San Francisco 49ers OT Amarius Mims Georgia
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Missouri

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2024 NFL mock draft: HC Green

QBs and WRs dominate the latest mock draft from The Huddle.

HC Green’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* OT JC Latham Alabama
12 Denver Broncos OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
13 Las Vegas Raiders CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
14 New Orleans Saints IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
15 Indianapolis Colts CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
16 Seattle Seahawks DL Byron Murphy II Texas
17 Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
18 Cincinnati Bengals OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
19 Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT Graham Barton Duke
21 Miami Dolphins EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
22 Philadelphia Eagles OT Amarius Mims Georgia
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from HOU>MIN)* WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
24 Dallas Cowboys OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
25 Green Bay Packers CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
28 Buffalo Bills WR Xavier Worthy Texas
29 Detroit Lions IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
30 Baltimore Ravens CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
31 Las Vegas Raiders (from SF)* QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
32 Kansas City Chiefs WR Ladd McConkey Georgia

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2024 NFL mock draft: Harley Schultz

Check out the newest mock draft from The Huddle!

Harley Schultz’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 Minnesota Vikings (from NE)* QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Los Angeles Chargers WR Malik Nabers LSU
6 New York Giants WR Rome Odunze Washington
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 New England Patriots (from MIN)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
12 Indianapolis Colts (from DEN)* CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
13 Dallas Cowboys (from LV)* WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
14 New Orleans Saints OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from IND>DEN)* IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
16 Seattle Seahawks IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
17 Jacksonville Jaguars CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
18 Cincinnati Bengals OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
19 Los Angeles Rams DL Byron Murphy II Texas
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins OT Graham Barton Duke
22 Denver Broncos (from PHI)* QB Bo Nix Oregon
23 New England Patriots (from CLE>HOU>MIN)* OT Amarius Mims Georgia
24 Las Vegas Raiders (from DAL)* QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
25 Green Bay Packers CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
28 Buffalo Bills WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
29 Detroit Lions EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
30 Baltimore Ravens CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
31 San Francisco 49ers DL Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Nate Wiggins Clemson

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2024 NFL mock draft: Cletis Cutts

Here’s our latest mock draft release as the real deal draws near.

Cletis Cutts’ first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
12 Denver Broncos CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
13 Las Vegas Raiders QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
14 New Orleans Saints OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
15 Indianapolis Colts CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
16 Seattle Seahawks OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
17 Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
18 Cincinnati Bengals IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
19 Los Angeles Rams DT Byron Murphy II Texas
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
22 Philadelphia Eagles CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN>CLE>HOU)* EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
24 Dallas Cowboys IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
25 Green Bay Packers OT Amarius Mims Georgia
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) DT Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
28 Buffalo Bills WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
29 Detroit Lions CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
30 Baltimore Ravens OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
31 Denver Broncos (from SF)* QB Bo Nix Oregon
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Cooper DeJean Iowa

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