Could Rams Draft Illinois Lineman Jer'Zhan Newton to Fill Aaron Donald Void?
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of the best defensive players of all time on Friday when Aaron Donald retired from the NFL.
The team could use some help with their defensive line now, as Donald was one of the best to ever play the position, and replacing him will not be easy. And in a recent mock draft from CBS Sports, they have the Rams getting some help and selecting Jer'Zhan 'Johnny' Newton out of Illinois.
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In his senior season of college, Newton finished with 7.5 sacks and 52 total tackles. He was one of the bright spots on an Illinois team that went 5-7 in the regular season, and he could be a big piece of any defense that drafts him.
While he did not participate in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis because he was recovering from Jones fracture surgery in his foot, Newton is expected to work out at his pro day for any NFL team wants to see.
Newton has a similar build to Donald, as he is 6-2 and weighs around 295 pounds. While he is ranked as the second-best defensive lineman by most in the draft behind Texas tackle Byron Murphy, any NFL team would be thankful to be able to draft a talent like Newton.
The Rams drafted Kobie Turner with the 89th pick in this past year's draft, and he tied the mark for sacks that Donald set in his rookie year. If the team were to draft Newton to rush the quarterback alongside Turner, then the Rams defensive linemen could remain scary for years to come.
