Dolphins Potential Draft Target Profile: DT Jer'Zhan Newton

The Miami Dolphins have the 21st overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft and could use a dominant interior defensive lineman

The 2024 NFL draft is this month.

As it stands now, the Miami Dolphins have a first-round pick for the first time since 2021. The team will pick No. 21 overall, and they have pick No. 55 in the second round before taking the third and fourth rounds off.

They’ll get back on the clock with pick No. 158 in the fifth round and finish things off with picks 184, 198 and 241.

This article series is intended to be an introduction to draft prospects so fans are familiar with a number of options and why they make sense for the Dolphins. We’ll start this series by focusing on players who Miami could select at No. 21.

We’ll dive into some simple biographical information, the pros and cons of their game and how they fit into Miami’s scheme or depth chart.

Illinois IDL Jer’Zhan Newton

Basic Background

Newton got to Illinois and immediately earned a place on the field as a freshman. He played in all eight games in 2020, earning two starts at defensive tackle.

He would then start for almost every game for the next three seasons, including his impressive 2023 campaign.

Last season, Newton was a team captain, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and finished as a consensus All-American. He did all that while leading all defensive tackles in snaps taken with 749.

Newton was also a special teams contributor this past season, leading the nation in blocked kicks with four.

He was a three-star recruit out of Clearwater Central Catholic in Florida and was rated the country’s 42nd-best tackle recruit by 247Sports. Like many players these days, he was a multi-sport athlete in high school (basketball).

Pros of Newton’s Game

Newton is the most technically sound interior defensive lineman in the 2024 draft. Although he’s undersized, Newton is so good with his hands that he disengages from blocks at an elite level.

He understands how to shed blockers to the ground with speed or power, and he always does it in time to make a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage. His hands are quick and powerful, allowing him to win vs. double teams and single blocks.

He’s also a good gap penetrator because of his quickness off the ball and lean frame. He understands how to make himself skinny to shoot gaps and make impact plays in the backfield.

As a pass rusher, Newton’s hand usage is, again, the star of the show. He does an excellent job using a variety of moves to get to the passer. He’s got a good two-handed swipe, push-pull and club-rip move.

Newton is also capable of winning with quickness off the snap. He consistently beats offensive linemen to their spots and stresses their redirect ability in pass protection. Newton pairs all of that with an impressive motor.

Effort sacks are less impressive, but they count the same, and Newton should get a few every season in the NFL. He’ll work multiple pass-rush moves to beat tackles and pursue the quarterback all over the field if he has to.

The best thing an interior defensive lineman can be is disruptive, and Newton consistently makes the offense’s lives harder. He’s not a one-trick pony, either. He can win against the run and pass in multiple ways.

Cons of Newton’s Game

Finding true weaknesses in Newton’s game is a little difficult outside of his size. His short arms can limit him at times. He has 22nd percentile arm length and a sixth percentile wingspan — there’s no getting around that.

He’s also short at 6-1, making him susceptible to linemen who have size and know how to stay leveraged. Newton isn’t a run stuffer. He shouldn’t be asked to guard two gaps and prevent linemen from getting to the second level.

He’s strong enough to hold up and get linemen off his chest, but asking him to carry blockers so linebackers can get downhill is asking for trouble.

The only other concern is that Newton is just a good athlete — not elite. He’s quick, explosive and fast, but there are some limitations. He didn’t test at the combine, so we don’t know how close to an elite mover he is.

Simply put, he’s not built like a typical defensive tackle, but he certainly plays like one.

HOW JER’ZHAN NEWTON FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

Newton’s positional fit is an easy one. The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis to free agency this offseason, leaving a big hole in the interior of the defensive line.

They’ve made minor signings, like bringing in Neville Gallimore, but he’s not someone who should be counted on every snap. Newton is arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the class, so taking him to replace Wilkins makes sense on paper.

When looking at Newton’s fit in Miami’s scheme, things get slightly more complicated. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was Baltimore’s defensive line coach last season.

He has a history of coaching up defensive linemen who were not taken in the first round (Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones). Instead of spending a premium pick on Newton, the Dolphins could rely on Weaver’s track record of development.

While we can’t know for sure what Miami’s defense will look like next season, some of the players they signed in free agency provide clues.

The team’s starting linebackers are expected to be Jordyn Brooks and David Long Jr. They are the type of linebackers who benefit from defensive linemen who two-gap up front — not something Newton should do.

The Dolphins could sign someone in free agency to fill that run-stuffing role (a more direct Davis replacement) and pair Newton with that player. It would free up Newton to do what he does best and support the linebackers.

The fit isn’t perfect, but it’s not bad either. Newton should be an instant contributor because of his refined technique and experience. The Dolphins need instant impact from new players on the defensive line this season, making Newton a worthwhile consideration in round one.