The Vikings go in a surprising direction in a new 2024 mock draft from The 33rd Team’s Connor Livesay, using the 11th overall pick on Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton. He’s the second defensive player taken in the mock, behind only UCLA edge Laiatu Latu at No. 8. That means the Vikings choose Newton over players like Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Nate Wiggins, Terrion Arnold, and Byron Murphy II.

Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton will be one of the most polarizing players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite his lack of size, Newton is one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in this class. Newton’s fit with Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings is ideal for a player who must be in the right position to succeed early in his career.

Newton is a pretty fascinating prospect in this year’s draft. He was incredibly productive at Illinois, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American honors this past season after recording 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and four blocked kicks. For his career, Newton racked up 18 sacks, 27.5 total TFL, and five passes defended in 44 games. His best season might’ve actually been 2022, when he had 19 quarterback hits and a 91.5 PFF grade.

That’ll do Jer'Zhan Newton pic.twitter.com/rPDT612tvx

— Matt (@CoachMinich) January 27, 2024

The big reason why some analysts have Newton going later in the first round or even on Day 2 is his size. He’s listed at 6’2″, 295 pounds and doesn’t have elite length or burst. However, the tape shows a highly disruptive player with violent hands, plenty of power at the point of attack, and an impressive motor. Newton has big-time upside as a pass-rushing three-technique despite being slightly undersized.

The fit in the Vikings’ defense also makes a lot of sense. Newton would be a nice complement to Harrison Phillips — who is more of a run-stuffer than a pass-rusher — in the middle of Brian Flores’ front.

If the Vikings don’t take a quarterback, edge rusher, or cornerback with their first-round pick, DTs like Newton and Murphy could be in play. The question might be whether they like either player enough to take them 11th overall — or if they’re only viewed as options in a trade-down scenario.