2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton

From now until the 2024 NFL Draft takes place, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton.

#4 JER’ZHAN NEWTON/DL ILLINOIS – 6-1, 300 POUNDS. (SENIOR)

MEASUREMENTS

THE GOOD

– The motor and drive are white-hot for Newton on every play
– Shows fast and active hands in pass-rushing situations
– Knows how to set up o-linemen to win with strike timing and hands on the edge
– Impressive ankle bend for a guy his size turning the corner
– His push-pull and swim moves win consistently as a pass rusher
– Good upper-body strength to jolt o-linemen upon initial contact
– Displays good leverage and lower-body drive to shed blocks in run defense
– Always has a rush plan that can utilize counters, over-arm, swim, and cross-chop moves
– Has very fast feet out of his stance and will easily best o-linemen who don’t match that
– Does not give up on a play and often creates pressures and sacks from continued pursuit
– Attacks o-linemen with his hands constantly and does not give up if he doesn’t make initial contact
– Stout, wide base as a run defender and able to sit down on blocks
– Intelligent run-recognition ability to predict tackling angles
– Incredible statistical production for pass rushing and run defense in college

THE BAD

– Lack of height and arm length could limit him to being scheme-specific for some teams
– O-linemen with length gave him difficulty if they were able to initiate contact
– Struggles against double teams to elude or hold point of attack
– He doesn’t always show the best intuition when timing his ability to shed blocks
– Bull-rush move isn’t always effective if he can’t make first contact due to length issues
– Tends to over-pursue runners to create pressure and loses gap integrity
– Needs to create a wider base when rushing so he’s not losing inside so often
– Doesn’t have the fastest initial burst/acceleration when the ball is snapped
– Too many missed tackles (12) in 2023 for a defensive tackle
– Injury concern, played through partial Jones fracture in foot and underwent January surgery that will cause him to miss NFL Scouting Combine on-field activities

BIO:

– Born on Aug.