Jer’Zhan Newton: The Underrated Force

Historically in a stacked NFL draft class, there are good football players who are not as popular in conversations. In 2024, one of the players is Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton.

A 3-star recruit out of Florida, he has been showing improvement every year with Illinois.

In a league where pass rush and disrupting in the backfield is more important than ever, Newton should have suitors lining up for his services.

This defender is a hard worker and gives maximum effort and that is the kind of prospect that moves the meter at the next level and will help an NFL team win games.

I am a huge fan of his game and during the draft process, I feel he will get the credit he deserves as we close in on April 25 and teams are trying to improve upon their pass rush.

Newton’s law

The first law is do NOT run zone or stretch run plays at Newton.

With his explosive first step, relentless motor, hand placement, and hand quickness it is almost impossible to reach block Newton.

This Illinois defensive prospect recognizes run-blocking schemes very quickly and uses his elite flexibility combined with good leverage that he almost always plays with. He dominates at the 3-technique (Sports Illustrated defines this as “Defender lines up on the guard’s outside shoulder, between the guard and the tackle”) when being asked to dominate one gap and get upfield.

Newton shows surprising strength throwing around blockers after shedding and shows great motor rallying to the football.

He is a defensive line coach’s dream with his relentless pursuit of the football, it is amazing to see his love of the game. Newton also shows surprising bend and flexibility playing 5-technique (Sports Illustrated defines this as “Defender lines up on the tackle’s outside shoulder”) and 7-technique (Sports Illustrated defines this as “Defender lines up on the inside shoulder of the tight end”).

My favorite trait of Newton is his hand usage.

In the NFL defensive linemen hand usage is what wins and Newton hands are NFL ready. Newton also has multiple pass rush moves, with push and pull, and swim moves. He additionally showed hesitation with a club move.

Newton’s ‘weaknesses’

Newton has a lack of size and lack of arm length. He stands at 6-foot-2 295 pounds, and it’s a very lean 295. Newton on vertical and combo blocks gives him trouble. Newton is seen pushed back and has a hard time anchoring in the power run game and will have to improve on this or he will be picked on at the next level. Schematically, Newton will need to be protected by alignment and a big-body nose tackle to keep him clean and enable him to get upfield. Newton’s lack of size also hurt his power game. He does not have much power in his hands on bull rushes – – more of a finesse pass rusher. Newton does not fit all schemes, which may cause a small draft day slide. However, I don’t see Newton as a liability in the run game because of the use of his hands.

Scouting Report

Game Film Evidence (2022)

Chattanooga

Minnesota

(2023)

Penn State

Kansas

Wisconsin

UNDERSIZED DISRUPTIVE DEFENSIVE TACKLE WHO CAN PLAY ALL ALONG THE DEFENSIVE LINE.

This prospect is an upfield defensive lineman who displays multiple pass-rush moves. Disruptive play in the backfield. Relentless motor, and great hand usage. However, with his lack of arm length, Newton’s power to anchor in the run game and must be improved to be a three-down force in the NFL for 60 minutes. He would be best served in an aggressive up-the-field attacking scheme to play to his strengths and minimize his weaknesses.

Tatum Round Grade: Mid to Late First Round Pick

Looking forward to:

Newton continuing to dominate with his quickness, explosiveness, and hands. I also want to see him improve his hand power and see him make more plays vs. the power run game.

Rashad Tatum has been a deep-rooted fan of football since his grandpa introduced him to the game at the age of five years old. He’s from Houston, Texas. He uses YouTube and All22 film to break down prospects to give his direct analysis of players. Rashad has a trained eye developed by his former high school coach Steve Strahan who was in the NFL and played at Baylor University. He currently covers the top-rated prospects in the NFL Draft for Firstroundmock.com. When writing about football he lives by the motto “Lover of football, fan of no team.”