When the Washington Commanders spent their first of three second-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on Johnny Newton, those in power thought they'd hit the jackpot. Almost two years into his professional career, that's not the case anymore.
Newton had a first-round grade with most experts. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn presented him with the Commander Gold Tag, reserved for primary targets who align with their desired ethos. When he slipped through the cracks and into their laps at No. 36 overall, Washington didn't hesitate to bring him on board.