Washington Commanders provides top-15 prospect for the 2025 class.
At 6:35 p.m. on Friday, Johnny Newton was eventually called in. He thought the phone will ring about twenty-four hours later.
The No. 36 overall pick in the NFL draft went to the defensive tackle from Illinois, who was an All-American. In the second round, he was chosen fourth by the Washington Commanders.
Mel Kiper Jr. and the other members of the ESPN crew were not surprised by the decision. Just behind Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, Newton was ranked second on the network’s “Best Available” list heading into the second round.
Regarding Newton, ESPN commentator Booger McFarland remarked, “His athleticism pops off the tape.” I adore his style of play.
Louis Riddick, McFarland’s co-host on the radio, stated that Newton complements first-year Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s defense.
Most experts predicted that Newton would be selected in the first round of the Detroit draft when it began.
However, Thursday night’s 32 picks passed without Newton being chosen.
What took place? It’s difficult to say for sure without speaking with the scouting and personnel departments of the NFL teams specifically as well as the teams in general.
Was Newton’s foot issue a contributing factor in his absence from the first round? During the 2023 season, he played with a damaged wheel that needed surgery. He was not allowed to participate in the annual NFL combine’s physical phase and only recently demonstrated his abilities to NFL teams during a session on the Illinois
university.
Was his bulk a hindrance? Although his motor and agility have always been viewed as advantages, there has been some doubt about his capacity to resist the run game. It’s a concern that 6-foot-2, 304-pound Newton will be pushed around by offensive lines. I won’t tell him that in front of him.
Did he lose out because of the draft’s emphasis on offensive? Only at the fifteenth pick—an extraordinary hint toward the offense—was a defender taken.
Newton was rated lower by most selection experts than Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. As the 16th choice, the Longhorns standout will be joining former Illini Devon Witherspoon in Seattle. In the first round, only nine of the 32 defensive tackles were selected.
Therefore, Illinois won’t be able to have first-round selections in back-to-back drafts until at least 2026. The last time that double was completed was in 2011–12.
Witherspoon, who had a stellar rookie campaign with the Seahawks, went No. 5 in Kansas City, Missouri, last April, setting the stage for Illinois to have a two-year run.
I assumed that I would be traveling to Detroit for the draft for the majority of the year. However, Newton made the decision not to go and held a party in Orlando, Florida. The Floridian seems to have made a sensible choice with that choice. Nobody wants to be the man who is late for his name call while waiting in the green room. if any at all.
Newton is going to become enraged and turn on the Commanders. He’ll employ the opening round.
as “tackling fuel” (many thanks to “Bobby Boucher”).
Former teammate Quan Martin will greet Newton in Washington. The Commanders selected the defensive back in the second round of the previous season, and he had an outstanding debut.
Nick Allegretti, a former offensive lineman for the Illini, recently inked a big contract with the team and will start at guard.
Other than the initial payment, there isn’t much that matters when a player is chosen. That is the main purpose of the second contract.
There are numerous players who were chosen after the first round in the Pro Football Hall of Fame located in Canton, Ohio. Tight end John Mackey, wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, defensive end Ted Henricks, quarterback Brett Favre, and defensive end Michael Strahan are among the second-round picks honored.
Among the former Illini,
Over the past thirty years, a number of notable players have entered the draft in the second round: Martin, veteran professional defender Jihad Ward, defensive back Tavon Wilson, who won the Super Bowl, cookie entrepreneur Jeff Allen, running back Mikel Leshoure of Champaign, Eugene Wilson, Robert Holcombe, Kelvin Hayden, and tight end Ken Dilger.
The majority of those players enjoyed extended careers in the NFL, preparing them for prosperous life beyond football.
That is the hope for Newton, who has been a pleasure to work with since the day he joined Lovie Smith’s squad. The recipient of the inaugural Loren Tate Media Award, which honors the Illinois player who most assists the media in doing their job, was unquestionably receiver Isaiah Williams. However, Newton was included on many voters’ ballots, including mine.
The press
Another talker is going to be sent to cover the Commanders. By the way, that is a positive thing.
He’ll return.
Newton needs to get some work done right now. He will heed the counsel of his new team until his foot heals. And he’s going to rookie camp shortly.
Newton will make an excellent teammate and even better citizen based on his time spent in C-U.
Football has become a full-time profession. One he’ll find enjoyable. There are no classes to go to. Just study the playbook, get stronger and more resilient, and prepare ready for the 17 Sundays that fall and winter bring. Cincinnati is the closest the Commanders get to C-U in 2024. travel via car?
Although the squad finished 4-13 last year, there will be enough of
much anticipation with Daniels starting at quarterback.
My prediction for the upcoming season is that Newton will make his stops at the Smith Center and Memorial Stadium when he can. Along with other staff members, he has developed good relationships with defensive line coach Terrance Jamison and coach Bret Bielema.
We shall miss him. very challenging to swap out. While Gabe Jacas shares some traits with Newton, there isn’t another Newton on the team.
Newton, who was a second-team member in 2022 and a consensus All-American in 2023, will eventually return to Illinois when he is inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame. While many sportsmen are still deserving of consideration, Newton and Witherspoon are quickly moving up the list.
In Champaign, Illinois, The Commanders will have a new group of supporters who hope to
watch Newton have an effect akin to that of former Illini defensive greats.
He will be added to the roster. He was just acquired by the Commanders with a second-round pick. Newton will handle the remainder.
