Tag: Johnny Newton

Chris Cooley’s film review of Commanders’ DT Johnny Newton

What does Cooley think of Johnny Newton’s film? He likes him.

Chris Cooley praised the Commanders’ selection of Johnny Newton, but also offered a few concerns.

The former Washington tight end, who appeared on Thursday’s “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast, expressed his film observations of Newton.

Not to be overlooked, Sheehan proposed that other teams possibly knew of Newton’s injury and that the Commanders did not. Newton fell into the second round, and Commanders GM Adam Peters was in disbelief Newton was still available at No. 36, where Peters selected him.

Here are a few selected quotes from Cooley’s review:

“He is a consistently productive guy,” Cooley said. “Four blocked kicks at Illinois. I love a dude that can block kicks! There is a knack to it.”

“He is a compact 6’2″, 304 pounds…He is not thin.”

“First team All-American. He wrecked Maryland; he wrecked Wisconsin. He can wreck a game. There is no doubt about it; he can play in the backfield.”

“He will come off the ball, quick twitch, and he can transition from speed to power. He can play inside; he can play nose. Quick hands, quick feet. When you are playing against Johnny Newton on the other side of the ball, you are worried he is going to beat you right now.”

“His hand-fighting is excellent. He will battle through that and get off of stuff.”

“I think when he wants to, he can crash back-side run plays really well.”

“He has great pass-rush moves; his high end is really high end.”

“I think the number one negative I see is he picks and chooses. There are times you can write L-A-Z-Y…It’s not that he can’t run down the line of scrimmage. It’s not that he can’t chase the ball carrier. It’s not that he doesn’t do that. He just picks and chooses.”

“He’s a guy you want to make sure is always going; you got to make sure he is always rolling or have him out.”

“His pad level is not very good. He plays upright; he plays high.”

“He plays around blocks as well, which you can’t get away with in the NFL.”

“Honestly, I think he is a great pick. He is going to be around a couple of defensive tackles (Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne) who will not accept anything but “go” all the time. I think it will be a really good fit for him.”

“There are a couple of concerns, but so much positive to him, so much upside to him.”

Commanders rookie Johnny Newton wants to learn from Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne

Johnny Newton looks forward to learning from Daron Payne and Jon Allen.

Things haven’t gone smoothly for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton since he was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft over three weeks ago.

Newton, who had surgery on his foot to repair a Jones Fracture he suffered during his final college season at Illinois, learned the injury was healing on schedule, but he had a similar condition in the other foot.

So, at last week’s rookie minicamp, Newton was in a walking boot, and head coach Dan Quinn revealed that he needed another surgery. Of course, that sent Washington fans into a panic. Did this new regime fall into the same trap as other previous regimes?

Many had projected Newton as a first-round pick, but he slid to the Commanders at No. 36. Was this because teams knew Newton needed surgery on both feet?

Regardless of when the Commanders found out Newton needed another surgery, they believed they had a steal. Newton underwent successful surgery last week, and Washington is optimistic he’ll be ready for Week 1.

The good news is that the Commanders don’t need Newton for Week 1. Washington has arguably the best pair of defensive tackles in the NFL, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Going into a situation with two established stars in front of you could be disappointing for most rookies, but Newton sees it as an opportunity.

“You’re talking about guys I used to watch when they was in college, so transitioning to the NFL, of course, I still watched them,” Newton said, per Zach Selby of commanders.com.

“Playing next to those guys, outstanding, an amazing feeling. [They’re] Older guys who have had success [in] college and in the NFL. So, I’m really happy.”

The Commanders have some depth at defensive tackle with Allen, Payne, Newton and third-year players John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis. Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick, could be fighting for his future in Washington this summer.

Commanders DT Johnny Newton has successful foot surgery

The Commanders are optimistic Newton will be healthy before the start of the season.

Outside of Dan Quinn’s T-shirt, rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton’s foot injury was the talk of last weekend for the Washington Commanders.

Newton appeared at rookie minicamp with a boot on his foot. That wasn’t a shock, as Newton had surgery in January to repair a Jones fracture in his foot. Jones suffered the injury sometime during the 2023 season at Illinois and still won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

However, the shock was that Newton needed surgery on the other foot. According to Quinn, the doctor discovered Newton had a similar condition in the opposite foot and would need surgery.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Newton underwent successful surgery on Monday, and the Commanders hope he’ll be cleared in time for Week 1.

This is far from ideal and leads to the question: Did Washington know about the injury on the opposite foot? It would explain why Newton fell out of the first round when everyone considered him a first-round talent.

Regardless, there is good news here. Newton was almost fully recovered from the first surgery in January, which bodes well for the most recent surgery. Also, the Commanders have Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and John Ridgeway at defensive tackle. Washington also has Phidarian Mathis and Efe Obada, who can play inside or outside, so there is no need to rush Newton’s recovery.

 

Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton to miss time with another foot surgery

Newton needs surgery for a Jones fracture in his other foot from the one that he had the same injury fixed earlier this offseason

On the field at Illinois, Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton was a wrecking ball of an interior defensive lineman. So when Newton fell into the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it was a surprising drop for a player who many ranked as one of the best defensive talents in the class.

The Washington Commanders snapped up Newton with the fourth pick of the second round, No. 36 overall. Concerns about a foot injury that sidelined Newton from the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine were cited as a major reason for Newton sliding into the second round.

It turns out the worries about Newton’s durability proved valid, at least initially. Commanders coach Dan Quinn indicated that Newton will now miss some time due to needed surgery on his other foot. Newton has a Jones fracture in the foot that wasn’t previously injured.

The Jones fracture is a break of the bone at the base of the pinkie toe where it connects with the rest of the foot. Newton already had surgery on one foot, and now he needs it on the other. General prognosis for a recovery time is 3-4 months, per the Cleveland Clinic. That pushes deep into the preseason and perhaps into the start of the regular season, though coach Quinn stated he’s “not giving any timelines for that.”

It’s a tough blow for Newton and the Commanders as they attempt to rise up from the bottom of the NFC East.

Commanders 2nd-round pick Johnny Newton to undergo foot surgery

It’s the opposite foot for Newton than the one he already had surgically repaired.

The Washington Commanders knew defensive tackle Johnny Newton underwent offseason foot surgery before the NFL draft. Newton injured his foot during his final college season at Illinois, but he still won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

So, it was no surprise Friday that Newton was in a walking boot on the first day of rookie minicamp.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media on Saturday and discussed Newton’s injury.

“So, the foot that he had the procedure done is actually doing really well,” Quinn said. “So, he has an issue with the other foot. He’ll get a procedure done in the next week and then get back started and get going with the process again. But man, do we have high hopes for him? Like, he is such a kick-ass competitor. So, in some ways, when you have to get a procedure done, it’s better to do it early (so) that this didn’t happen in the end of August or in September, where it sets you back. So, the fact that it’s happening now, much better to get that organized first.”

Newton apparently went to the doctor to check up on the surgically repaired foot and learned that it was doing well, only for doctors to tell him he had a similar issue with his left foot.

It’s unclear if this happened before or after the draft. It’s clear the initial injury is why Newton dropped out of the first round, but there was no long-term concerns with the foot. However, would the Commanders have taken Newton if they knew there was a similar issue with the other foot?

Fans were concerned upon hearing this news. While this is a completely different regime, fans have seen Washington select injured players before, hoping for a steal, only for things not to work out.

Time will tell if Newton’s case is different. Quinn declined to give any sort of timeline on Newton’s return, which is smart.

CBS Sports says Commanders had NFL’s best 2024 draft class

Washington’s first three rounds were “sensational.”

The Washington Commanders have received high marks for their 2024 NFL draft class. From quarterback Jayden Daniels to all five of Washington’s Day 2 selections, the Commanders have an opportunity for a massive turnaround if these players can deliver in some form as rookies.

CBS Sports draft analyst Chris Trapasso is exceptionally high on Washington’s draft class, ranking it No. 1 in the NFL.

Here’s Trapasso’s analysis:

Those first five picks by GM Adam Peters were sensational. Denzel Washington Man On Fire type stuff from the Commanders new GM. Daniels has all the dynamic skills to be that new-age, dual-threat passer that terrifies defenses underneath, at the intermediate level, downfield, and yeah, with his legs.

If Newton was able to work out before the draft, no way he’s available in Round 1. He can be a 50-plus pressure defensive tackle as a rookie. Sainristil can be the annoying nickel corner who tackles like a champ, blitzes off the corner, and sticks to slot receivers underneath, and Sinnott legitimately has Sam LaPorta-esque athleticism and powerful YAC skills.

McCaffrey will probably make the least impact of this bunch, but his diverse route-running skills will likely help him get on the field and earn targets sooner rather than later.

It’s worth noting that McCaffrey was Washington’s sixth and final third-round pick. Offensive tackle Brandon Coleman was the Commanders’ fifth pick, and he has a chance to compete to start at left tackle in 2024.

Trapasso is correct about Newton. If he doesn’t have that foot injury that prevented him from working out at the NFL combine, he’s likely a top-25 pick. Newton dominated the Big Ten in 2023. In Washington, he joins the defensive tackle duo of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to form arguably the league’s top inside trio.

Sainristil is a Day 1 starter at nickel, while Sinnott has drawn comparisons to George Kittle and now Sam LaPorta. The comps are legit if you watch Sinnott’s film and check out his athletic testing numbers.

And don’t count out McCaffrey. He doesn’t need to make an immediate impact. Instead, he can play a specific role with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson atop the wide receiver depth chart.

If Daniels is the player general manager Adam Peters believes he is, this could be a franchise-altering class for the new-look Commanders.

Jordan Magee named Commanders’ best sleeper pick in 2024 NFL draft

More love for Commanders rookie LB Jordan Magee.

The Washington Commanders made nine selections in the 2024 NFL draft. The big news out of Washington was the selection of quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall.

However, the Commanders crushed Day 2 of the draft, coming away with five players, led by second-round picks Johnny Newton, Mike Sainristil and Ben Sinnott.

Washington had only three selections on Day 3, focusing on developmental prospects. One of those prospects, Temple linebacker Jordan Magee, looks like the perfect Dan Quinn linebacker.

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently named a sleeper from all 32 NFL draft classes, and Magee was his pick for the Commanders.

Here’s what Farrar said about Magee:

Under new head coach and defensive shot-caller Dan Quinn, the Commanders had already picked a couple of first-round talents who lasted until the second round in Illinois interior defensive lineman Johnny Newton and Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil. Given the off-season signings of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, it wasn’t a surprise that linebacker wasn’t a key priority, but with the 139th pick in the fourth round, Washington did take Temple’s Jordan Magee as a move ‘backer who can roll quickly all over the defense.

A do-it-all player, Magee had six sacks and 20 total pressures for the Owls last season, as well as 54 solo tackles, 41 stops, and 12 catches allowed on 16 targets for 85 yards, 41 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, no interceptions, two pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 86.7. He’s not unlike Luvu, who has become one of the NFL’s best linebackers in three years with the Jets and three more with the Panthers. Luvu was a “too small” guy who went undrafted out of Washington State back in 2018, so maybe he can tell the 6′ 1⅜”, 228-pound Magee that it’s not how you start, it’s where you finish.

Bobby Wagner is a future Hall of Famer who will likely only be in Washington for a short time. Quinn wanted Wagner because he remains an excellent player and can teach the younger players how to win and be professionals. Quinn no doubt hopes Wagner rubs off on Magee.

Which rookie was the Commanders’ best value selection?

A tremendous value for the Commanders.

In almost every mock draft you saw coming into last month’s 2024 NFL draft, Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton was projected to land in the first round.

Unfortunately for Newton, that did not happen. However, fortunately for the Washington Commanders, Newton was available to them with the fourth pick in the second round — No. 36 overall.

General manager Adam Peters told Newton on draft night he couldn’t believe he was still available, something he has reiterated since. Despite already having Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the roster, Peters believes Newton is a perfect fit.

Newton, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, suffered a Jones fracture in his foot that he played with last season. He had surgery after the season, forcing him to miss on-field workouts at the NFL combine.

The injury was likely why Newton fell, making him a potential steal for the Commanders.

It’s also why Newton was Washington’s best value selection in last month’s draft.

David Kenyon of Bleacher Report recently named every NFL team’s best value selection, and Newton was Washington’s pick.

Edge-rusher loomed as the Commanders’ key need after they traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young ahead of last year’s trade deadline. But when Jer’Zhan Newton (20th on the B/R big board) surprisingly made it to No. 36, Washington had to take advantage.

Newton amassed 22.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks during his final two years at Illinois.

Newton isn’t coming to Washington to simply back up Payne and Allen. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will have packages where all three are on the field at the same time. Newton has a chance to make an instant impact as a rookie.

Why did Commanders’ GM Adam Peters select Johnny Newton?

Jason Peters explained why Johnny Newton was the right pick.

Thursday night’s first round of the NFL draft had just concluded, and the Commanders were a bit surprised.

Washington Commanders new general manager Adam Peters sat down with the Commanders Brian Koba Jr to discuss his leading his initial Washington Commanders draft last week.

Illinois defensive tackle and Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year Johnny Newton had been mocked by most analysts for going somewhere in the 20s in the first round. Yet Newton had not been selected in the first round.

“We were ecstatic,” opened Peters. “After Thursday night, you look at your board, and Johnny was really an outlier on our board. We were looking at each other, and we talked about it Thursday night and again Friday morning.”

“We got a ton of calls Friday from teams wanting to trade up (to No. 36). In the end, we said, if Johnny’s there, we got to take him, even though maybe that wasn’t the biggest position of need. He was clearly the highest player on our board. He’s a game wrecker. He fits what we do perfectly, and he fits everything that a commander is really.”

Peters liked that Newton is tough, smart, and violent, a team captain, and everything the Commanders wanted. “So, we were happy to pull the trigger on that one.”

The former UCLA Bruin defensive end spoke of how his current defensive tackle starters, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, are both great examples for Newton to follow. “The way they work, the way they go about their business, anytime you can have that situation, it’s awesome.”

According to Peters, head coach Dan Quinn already has a vision of attempting to have all three (Allen, Payne and Newton) on the field at the same time. “It’s not like he is going to be a backup and not playing a whole lot. He’s going to get on the field, he’s going to play. We’re going to rotate those guys, keep those guys fresh, so they can get after it, too.”

Dane Brugler ranks the Commanders’ NFL draft class in his top 10

Some love for offensive tackle Brandon Coleman.

Dane Brugler is one of the NFL draft’s top analysts. Every spring, NFL fans eagerly await Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide, the most comprehensive draft preview available.

In the recently completed 2024 NFL draft, Brugler’s personal rankings had North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye over LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The Washington Commanders would select Daniels second overall, followed by the Patriots, who picked Maye with the next pick.

Despite that, Brugler loved Washington’s draft class. And while he had Maye higher, he also believes Daniels has what it takes to be a superstar passer.

Now that the draft is over, Brugler ranked all NFL draft classes from 1 to 32. He had the Chicago Bears with the best class.

Where are the Commanders?

Brugler had Washington ranked No. 9.

I think Jayden Daniels quickly will be a dynamic NFL player, but my “favorite” picks by the Commanders were their next two selections: Sainristil and defensive tackle Johnny Newton. Despite being undersized, Sainristil is a smart player — it is no coincidence that he consistently delivered difference-making plays on tape. Another favorite from this class was OT Brandon Coleman. I was ready to defend his high ranking (No. 66) on my board, but the Commanders drafted him at No. 67, and I don’t think they will regret it.

Day 3 pick who could surprise: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington

Dan Quinn has a history of tapping into the strengths of oversized safeties, and Hampton could be next. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Hampton is a premier athlete (4.45-second 40-yard dash) with a versatile background as a cornerback, nickel and on special teams. His lack of difference-making plays stands out, but he can be a solid role player.

Brugler loves Sainristil and Newton. That’s not uncommon. It is interesting to see Brugler’s review of Brandon Coleman. While some have criticized Washington for not drafting a tackle early, no one has said anything negative about Coleman the player. General manager Adam Peters said Coleman will play tackle, and his length and wingspan support the argument of Coleman playing tackle.

If Coleman can become the Commanders’ left tackle, this draft could be viewed as a turning point for the franchise.