Typically, rookie offensive linemen face growing pains early on.
However, that did not seem to be the case for the Chargers’ first-round pick, Zion Johnson, on the first day of padded practices, which marked offensive and defensive line one-on-ones.
Johnson got reps against Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox, and Jerry Tillery and passed his first test.
Joseph-Day got the better of the first-year player on a rep, but Johnson countered by stonewalling him on the following one.
Johnson also flattened Tillery on one of the reps, putting him on his back.
Johnson’s showing today is a replica of what he displayed on tape in college at Boston College, a powerful anchor at the point of attack, good mirror skills, and recovery ability.
“He’s living up to the bill right now,” Corey Linsley said on Johnson. “First day of pads but everything that we thought, you know, he’s a really good player. He’s got a ton of raw talent that you can see he’s already put a lot together. The sky is the limit.”
It’s still early, but if Johnson can continue to dominate at a high level as the starting right guard, it’ll only help make Los Angeles’ offense run like a well-oiled machine.
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) August 1, 2022