The pairing of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne has been one of the best defensive line duos over the last decade for the Washington Commanders.
Due to salary cap concerns, though, the duo is no longer together. Allen was released in a salary cap move this offseason and has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
In his place, the Commanders are expecting big things from former second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton as he gets a full offseason at the NFL level. Newton appeared in 11 games last season and recorded two sacks with one forced fumble.
But Washington will need more than just that mediocre production this season.
In his latest article for The Athletic, Ben Standig made it clear that Newton would be under the microscope this season.
"Newton, who was a second-round pick in 2024. Last year’s surprise selection based on position got his pro career started on the wrong foot. Newton missed nearly the entire offseason program with Jones fracture surgery on both feet. He popped at times in 16 games — 11 starts — but the 295-pounder now gets to enter camp healthy. Washington needs an impact season from Newton after releasing Jonathan Allen," Standig said.
Washington signed veteran defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a lucrative contract that surprised many around the league. Some analysts took that as a message that the team isn't as high on the second-rounder as they once were.
The best thing Newton can do to improve his stock, though, is to have the kind of impact Allen once did on defense.
