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Where Illinois Football Players Landed in 2024 NFL Draft

Jer’Zhan Newton (Round 2; Pick 36 to the Washington Commanders)

Newton is a first-round talent. There is no doubt that he was one of the most dominant players on the defensive side of the ball and that the Washington Commanders are getting a steal. During the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, Teams prioritized offense. The first 14 picks of the draft were players on the offensive side of the ball. Newton will be an absolute force and will be a stud for the new head coach, Dan Quinn.

Isaiah Adams (Round 3; Pick 71 to the Arizona Cardinals)

The Ajax, Ontario native could have been drafted last year. However, he came back and added to his already impressive film. The decision paid off for him as he went a couple of rounds earlier than he would have in the 2023 draft. Adams is a mauler at the guard position and will hopefully contribute to a team with a dynamic offense.

Tip Reiman (Round 3; Pick 82 to the Arizona Cardinals)

Tip Reiman is such a fantastic story. The Sioux Falls native came in as a thin, scrawny walk-on and left as a physical specimen who will make millions in the NFL. Reiman impressed all NFL GMs with his physical attributes off-the-field demeanor and professionalism. Seeing his reaction is what makes this process so cool.

Casey Washington (Round 6; Pick 187 to the Atlanta Falcons)

One of the nicest surprises to see was Casey Washington getting drafted. Washington became a fan favorite for many reasons during his time as an Illinois football player. When Bret Bielema first arrived, Casey briefly transferred to Wake Forest. He then returned and sealed the 9OT victory over Penn State. During the 2023 season, Casey had many fourth-down heroics which sparked Illinois to victory.

This article first appeared on Armchair Illini and was syndicated with permission.

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