Every first round has players that fall beyond their expectation. This can happen for several reasons: injury, positional value or maybe the league just doesn't value their play as much as the public. Last year names like Joey Porter Jr., Michael Mayer, Brian Branch and Will Levis all fell out of the first round for various reasons.
The Kansas City Chiefs are fortunate to be picking at pick 32 as they defend yet another Super Bowl championship. It's never easy to pick that late in a round but one of these five players should be a no-brainer for them at pick 32. These players are realistic candidates to fall to pick 32, so no Marvin Harrison Jr. or Brock Bowers here.
Jer'Zahn Newton, IDL, Illinois
Before the rise of Byron Murphy II (Texas) this draft cycle, Newton was the consensus top interior defensive lineman. However, a Jones fracture in his foot held him out of the combine and has caused his stock to fall some. Another reason why he could be available at 32 is his measurables: 17% percentile in weight, 47% in weight, and 22% in arm length are all on the smaller side for interior defensive linemen. He's much larger than Calijah Kancey who was taken at pick 19 last year.
Jer’Zhan Newton cutup
— NTB_43 (@NTB_43) March 19, 2024
Newton is a little undersized at 6-foot-2 and 304 pounds, but he makes up for it with his dazzling technique and natural instincts.
His athleticism pops on tape as well. Specifically in his get-off, where IOL don’t have the speed to mirror him. pic.twitter.com/yWv3xZsbD4
Newton is a special presence on the interior, his speed and burst off the snap are noticeable. His low center of gravity helps him dig underneath blockers in the trenches and shoot gaps in the run game. With 18 career sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss, Newton has a way of impacting the game few interior players can in this class. Newton is more than just athleticism though he is an experienced pass rusher who has an arsenal of hand techniques that make him frustrating for blockers to try to get ahold of. With his lack of size, he can be susceptible to double-team blocks.
Why he makes sense for the Chiefs: Newton would rarely see a double team playing next to Chris Jones. The Chiefs certainly have a need in their pass rush and for some youth in their interior pass rush. Newton could be another great weapon for Steve Spagnuolo's pass-rush packages, especially when Charles Omenihu returns. A young core on the defensive line of George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Jer'Zhan Newton is exciting to picture.