Johnny Newton Could Be Immediate Plug And Play Replacement For Christian Wilkins
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Dolphins have had a rough go of it so far during free agency, and no loss could be bigger in terms of both physical size and impact than defensive tackle Christian Wilkins signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wilkins was one of the premier defensive tackles in the NFL, and his loss in the middle of the defense will be felt throughout the entire unit. One way the Dolphins can lessen the blow of this loss is through the draft.
Jer’Zahn “Johnny” Newton is a disruptive interior defensive tackle from the University of Illinois who could be an immediate plug-and-play replacement for Wilkins.
At 6’2 and 304 lbs, Newton is a bit smaller than Wilkins, but he was incredibly productive while manning the front for the Fighting Illini. During his final two seasons in college, he recorded a total of 13 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, and last season alone, he recorded 43 pressures while playing in the Big 10, a conference known for producing NFL-level offensive linemen.
What made Newton so great in college was his ability to line up in multiple spots along the line and win from any of them. While he does project to be a three-technique, he can be used as a wild card and line up almost anywhere along the line.
His quickness and explosive first step is what sets him apart from other defensive lineman in this class. While he might not be the big hulking defensive tackles of the past, he uses his smaller size, speed, and increased agility to beat blockers that are much bigger than him.
Newton also has an excellent array of countermoves and uses his hands to great effect when swiping away offensive linemen. He doesn’t just rush on impulse but plans out all of his attacks.
Though there is plenty to fall in love with, Newton does have certain limitations. His arm length is on the shorter side, and he will struggle at the NFL level to keep his distance against offensive linemen. He will need to get comfortable winning on the inside against them.
An area where he is somewhat inconsistent is the run game. Newton shows a willingness to stick in and make plays, but again, this is an area where his shorter arms make it harder to make plays.
While his smaller size does help him when rushing the passer, it also makes it so that he can get washed out in the run game when up against a guard or center that has the size or weight advantage.
While these are concerning, the upside he provides as a pass rusher will ensure that he is picked on day one.
Though replacing a player of Wilkins’ caliber is rarely a one-man job, drafting Newton would be a good start for the Dolphins.
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