Big Board ranking: #28

Positional ranking: #1

 

Overview

Position: DL

College: Illinois

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’1 5/8”

Weight: 304 lbs.

Arm length: 32 3/8”

Hand size: 9 1/2″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

Short shuttle: N/A

 

Strengths

Low and compact build. Impressive natural athleticism. Terrific feet and change-of-direction skills. Excellent first-step quickness. High motor. Hands are quick and strong. Great hand usage as a pass rusher. Outstanding slap/swipe move. Very good swim move. Able to overpower opponents with the bull rush. Excellent acceleration on stunts. Generates pressure on outside rushes from interior alignment. Fantastic feet/bend to turn the corner. Hits into the quarterback with force and will strike with both hands. Quick to finish when he gets close. Great instincts and reactionary athleticism to deflect passes. Delivers big hits when he can. Exceptional play recognition. Routinely side steps blockers. Strong and effective shedding blocks. Knocks away attempts to engage. Will extend and quickly discard. Fights through blockers to reach the ball-carrier. Attacks with burst off the ball to push back opponents. Stays balanced and stout to hold his ground. Stays clean by preventing offensive linemen from getting to his outside shoulder. Aggressive pursuit into the backfield. Will track runs to the perimeter. Disruptor in short-yardage situations due to quickness and leverage at the snap. Had multiple blocked kicks in 2023.

 

Weaknesses

Can struggle to disengage when blockers get their hands inside. Sometimes turns his back or ends up sideways rather than staying square to play the run. Will get caught going inside versus outside runs and quarterback keepers. Recovering from January surgery for a Jones fracture in his foot.

 

NFL comparison

Alim McNeill

 

Conclusion

Overall, Newton is a quick and stout defensive lineman with impressive athleticism as a rusher and strength versus the run. Based on his ability as a disruptor, he should draw strong consideration to be the first interior defender off the board.