The Washington Commanders’ 2024 draft class still has plenty to prove, and Johnny Newton sits right in the middle of that conversation.
Jayden Daniels delivered a historic rookie year and carried Washington all the way to the NFC Championship game, but the rest of that class has been a mixed bag. Mike Sainristil flashed early before a wildly uneven second season, while the other picks have mostly lagged behind expectations.
Jordan Magee, the fifth-round pick, has been the exception. For Newton, though, the patience meter is starting to run thin.
There were signs late in the 2025 season that the defender could still be useful. In Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, Newton posted three sacks and five quarterback hits, more than doubling his season totals in both categories. That kind of burst is exactly why Washington still believes there’s something worth unlocking.
The catch is that Newton has never been a clean fit for every situation. He can help an NFL defense when he’s deployed the right way, but his issues against the run have kept him from becoming a dependable three-down player. That showed up when he had to fill in for an injured Jonathan Allen in 2024, and it continued to limit his snaps for most of last season.
Now the challenge shifts to new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who has to figure out how to use him in Washington’s expected 3-4 scheme. Newton is not likely to start, but he should still have chances whenever Javon Kinlaw, Daron Payne, or Tim Settle Jr. need a rest. The best fit is probably on passing downs, where his quickness can add juice to the Commanders’ blitz.
The star-level ceiling that once came with being a second-round pick may be gone. That doesn’t mean Newton can’t still matter. Washington just needs him to become a steady, useful piece on defense.
This has to be the year he shows it. If Jones can hide the run-defense flaws and put him in spots where he can do damage, Newton still has a path to value. If not, the questions around him are only going to get louder.
In Other News...
Commanders Finally Made The Uniform Change Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Commanders are leaning into a look their fans have wanted back for years, moving their Super Bowl-era throwback design into the primary uniform role for 2026. Along with the refreshed standard set, the team is adding a new all-black alternate called the Hail Raiser, a sharper, more modern look that still fits the franchises recent push to connect its present-day brand with its past.
Owner Josh Harris framed the changes as a way to honor the teams heritage while updating the overall identity, and the early reaction has been strong enough to draw national notice. Sports Illustrated even placed Washingtons 2026 uniform set at No. 8 in the league, a sign that this makeover is landing well beyond the fan base that had been waiting on it. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have Finally Fixed One Of Their Most Frustrating Problems
The Commanders have spent enough time searching for small offensive edges that a better screen game almost feels overdue, and this weeks additions are aimed squarely at that problem. Bringing in Rachaad White and Chig Okonkwo gives Washington two athletic options who can stress defenses in ways the unit has not consistently done, especially in the short passing game where the team has needed more help from its backs and tight ends.
For a young quarterback like Jayden Daniels, the appeal is obvious because cleaner, faster answers can help the offense stay on schedule and force defenses to defend every blade of grass. ESPNs John Keim has pointed to the possibility that these moves could make the attack more diverse, but the real test will come when Washington starts finding out whether those new pieces can turn a long-frustrating area into a reliable part of the plan. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Tough Decision On A Rising Fan Favorite
The Commanders went into the offseason looking for more speed and flexibility at linebacker, and the additions of Sonny Styles and Leo Chenal under Daronte Jones have changed the shape of the room in a hurry. With Jones planning to lean on a 3-4 look, Washington appears set to build around Frankie Luvu and Styles, while Chenal gives the staff a useful piece it can move around depending on the down and the package.
That leaves Jordan Magee in a far different spot than the one many imagined when he emerged late last season as a fan favorite and a possible breakout candidate. The fifth-round pick is still expected to make the roster and be part of the group, but the path to steady defensive snaps is suddenly crowded, and the role that once looked like a clean runway to Bobby Wagners old middle linebacker job now feels a lot less certain. [Read more 🡒]