College: LSU

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 294 pounds

Strengths

Quickness off the snap: One thing that jumps out about Johnson is how fast he is off the snap. It's a common occurence when watching his game to see Johnson be the first defensive lineman engaged with a defensive lineman. This help Johnson a ton in his game, because he isn't incredibly strong and he needs to use his quickness to
his advantage.

Weaknesses

Bend: Johnson lacks the power to bend the edge which keeps him inside at the next level which is where he belongs. The reason it's a weakness is that it seriously limits his pass rushing at the next level. He projects more as a run stopping defensive tackle in the one technique role. Johnson creates little press in the passing game and this limits him in a pass happy NFL.

Run Defense: Johnson has is adept at figuring out where the ball is going, but often lacks the strength to do anything about. He gets pushed upright a lot and creates little drive.

When he creates plays they are often developed due to others, and not created on his own. His numbers on defense are misleading and this leads people to believe he is better than he really is.

Average: Little strengths can be thought about, but few weaknesses either. In every way I look at him Johnson is average. He isn't even the best defensive tackle on
his team from what I can tell. Johnson won't show up on the highlight films, and he won't show up on "Come on man", but he wont be a disrupting factor at the next
level, at least not early. With some coaching Johnson has the ability to be very goo, but right now, he's just, average.

NFL Comparison

Henry Melton, Chicago Bears

Johnson is similar in size to Melton, and will probably face the same career path. Melton was previously a fourth round pick, and that's about where Johnson is looking.

Melton is one of those players that gets their job done, but gets little credit or mention in the media. Melton's first season in the NFL was mediocre, he wasn't a liability and he didn't make great plays. Johnson is bound to follow that path, whether he follows Meltons path to being a very good defensive tackle, or falls to
mediocrity is up in the air, and ony the future will tell.

Draft Outlook

Likely a late day two pick, or early day three pick, Johnson isn't in my top five defensive tackles, and likely won't finish in my top ten. Johnson doesn't flash as many other prospects do, on film Johnson is average. Johnson will spend his first season or two in the league as a rotational player and this will help him develop.

Best Fit

A nice fit for Johnson is a 4-3 team in a rebuild, where he can quietly develop over a year or two and help them more in the future. A team that fits this type of mold is the Oaklanf Raiders.

The Raiders cleaned house last offseason and are in the second year of their rebuild. They need talent to develop and the also badly need defensive tackle help. Adding Johnson to the mix would be a good add for the Raiders in just about every way.