Jer'zhan Newton

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		33	7.0	82	11.5
2025		17	5.0	38	4.5
2024		16	2.0	44	7

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This is an absolute steal for Washington — Newton's four-year, $9.8M deal with $8.4M guaranteed earns an A CVI grade that reflects exceptional value at the defensive tackle position. Locking up a serviceable starter at just $2.4M annually represents elite-tier contract efficiency, especially given the inflated market for interior defensive linemen where even middling contributors routinely command $8-10M per season. The heavy guarantee structure ($8.4M of $9.8M total) signals the Commanders' confidence in Newton's trajectory while providing him with financial security that should keep him motivated throughout the deal. At his age, this contract captures Newton during what should be his prime years, giving Washington a cost-controlled building block for their defensive front that allows them to allocate resources elsewhere. The Commanders essentially secured starting-caliber interior pass rush at backup money — the kind of shrewd roster construction that championship teams are built on.

Performance Analysis

Jer'zhan Newton is a second-year defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders, a 2024 draft product still carving out his identity as a rotational interior disruptor at just 23 years old. He carries a C- grade across both of his NFL seasons, signaling a player who hasn't yet translated collegiate promise into consistent professional production. Still, his youth and draft pedigree keep the ceiling conversation very much open. Newton's most encouraging number is his sack rate of 0.29 per game, above the NFL average of 0.21 — a sign that his pass-rush burst is a legitimate weapon at the next level. His tackle production sits at 2.24 per game, nearly matching the league average of 2.30, suggesting adequate but unremarkable run-defense presence. The real concern is his tackles-for-loss rate of just 0.26 per game against an NFL average of 0.35, indicating he struggles to finish plays behind the line of scrimmage with consistency. Newton's trend line — a C- in 2024 carrying into a C- in 2025 — reflects a player who hasn't regressed but also hasn't taken the developmental leap expected of a young interior lineman. Comparisons to early-career Shelby Harris feel apt: raw pass-rush tools alongside uneven run-stopping. If Newton can improve his TFL rate and play with better leverage in pursuit, a jump to B-range grades is achievable within the next two seasons.

Current Sentiment

Jer'Zhan Newton enters the 2026 season as one of the more intriguing developmental stories along the Washington Commanders' defensive interior, with coaching staff and media alike pointing to a potential breakout as his primary narrative. Head coach Dan Quinn has publicly projected elite-level growth from the young defender, a meaningful endorsement that carries significant weight in shaping both fan and analyst expectations. Newton's ability to generate pressure against quality competition — highlighted by a notable sack of Justin Herbert — has provided tangible on-field evidence to support the optimistic framing surrounding his trajectory. The 'Secret Superstar' designation from national outlets signals that a segment of the analytical media community views him as an undervalued asset whose production may be outpacing his current recognition. While Newton has yet to accumulate the accolades or contract value of an established starter, the convergence of positive coaching rhetoric, encouraging practice reports, and credible pass-rush flashes positions him as a high-upside name to watch heading into the new season.