Washington Commanders select Jer'Zhan Newton in second round of 2024 NFL Draft

Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton accomplished quite a lot after four seasons in Champaign, specifically the past two. He can now add being a high draft pick to that resumé after the Washington Commanders selected him in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Newton appeared in 45 games with the Fighting Illini, including 38 starts with 25 of those coming the past two seasons as a full-timer. In total, he posted 187 tackles, 27.5 of them being for loss, and 18 sacks.

2022 and 2023 was when Newton truly burst onto the scene, though. In those pair of campaigns, he totaled 114 tackles, 22.5 for loss, and 13 sacks. His 7.5 sacks in ’22 and 5.5 in ’23, a season in which he was a captain, led the team as part of 103 quarterback pressure.

That production earned him honors such as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. It also made him a Consensus All-American and a member of the All-Big Ten First Team.

Newton is a developmental success story from out of Illinois. That’s because, out of Clearwater Central Catholic in Florida, he was only a three-star prospect and the No. 1,066 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Newton earned his keep in college in becoming a productive player and, as of today, a pro. That work will continue, though, as he adds his services to the defensive line over in the nation’s capital.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jer’Zhan Newton

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein is high on Newton as a prospect, even if he doesn’t have the best measurables. He has seen him do enough consistently on film to consider him a selection who could end up starting for an NFL franchise on Sundays this upcoming season.

“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,” Zierlein wrote. “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,” wrote Zierlein.