New York Giants Draft Prospect: IDL Jer’Zhan Newton

Jer'zhan Newton plays a disruptive type of game that should resonate with what the Giants like from their interior defensive linemen.

Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL

Height: 6’2
Weight: 295 lbs.
Class: RS-Junior
School: Illinois
Stats

A former three-star recruit out of Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, Florida, where he was the 106th-ranked Floridian and the 47th-ranked defensive end during the 2019 recruiting cycle. Newton was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, making him the fourth Illini in history to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 

He was also named an All-American per the AP, AFCA, FWAA, CBS, and The Athletic. Newton also recorded 43 pressures in 2023. He aligned all over the defensive front but was mostly the 3-technique and 4i-shade when Illinois was in their ODD front.

Strengths

• Adequate overall size
• Explosive athlete with light feet
• Very agile player who gets skinny through tight openings
• Good low center of gravity most of the time
• Great first step - hands and feet work together
• Very active hands - powerful countermoves
• Efficient use of hands with effective arm-over/swim
• Good overall ability to employ power rushes and convert speed to power
• Has an array of pass-rushing moves that allowed him to win half-man relationship
• Elusive chest to block in pass-rushing situations
• Solid overall run defender with excellent eye discipline
• Locks out OL and locates ball/play design
• Solid overall play strength at the point of attack
• Body control and athletic traits allow him to thrive while slanting/gap-exchanging
• Excellent competitive toughness

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Weaknesses

• A bit underweight for a typical interior defensive lineman
• I’m curious about the length of his arms
• Lack of size makes him struggle vs. double teams
• Can pop high out of his stance at the snap - must maximize natural leverage.
• Was washed by down blocks too frequently

Summary

Jer’Zhan Newton is a disruptive player from the interior who does well in one-on-one pass-rushing situations. He is explosive and efficient with his hands to create separation from the interior. Newton frequently aligned as the end in an ODD front, playing mostly 3-technique to 5-technique. He’s no liability as a run defender, but double teams can uproot him due to his size. 

Teams are looking for explosive interior defensive linemen who can create pressure from within the pocket; Newton fits that description and should hear his name called relatively early in the draft. A player like Newton would thrive on the Giants next to Dexter Lawrence, but Newton will likely be gone before the Giants have the luxury of drafting an IDL.

GRADE: 6.42

Nick Falato

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