Draft season is kicking into high gear ahead of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. We’re beginning to hear more and more about the players that the team has met with during the pre-draft All-Star Game circuit.
According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Kansas City Chiefs were among the teams to meet with Toledo DL Desjuan Johnson at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Melo says that Johnson met with nearly a dozen NFL teams including the Bills, Eagles, Steelers, Falcons, Packers, Bengals, Rams, Commanders, 49ers, and Patriots. Johnson also told Melo that he’s met with the Chiefs since then, likely via a virtual pre-draft meeting.
In his five seasons at Toledo, Johnson dominated the competition in the MAC conference. This past season, that dominance culminated in a First-Team All-MAC selection. Tasked with facing competition from all over the FBS at the East-West Shrine Bowl, Johnson didn’t miss a beat.
Don't sleep on @ToledoFB DL Desjuan Johnson, who had 14.5 career sacks. Have heard that Johnson was unblockable at @ShrineBowl.
Johnson met w/ many teams in Vegas, including #Bills, #Chiefs, #Eagles, #Steelers, #Falcons, #Packers, #Bengals, #Rams, #Commanders, #49ers & #Patriots
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) February 24, 2023
The 6-foot-3 and 280-pound defensive lineman was highly-productive for the Rockets in 2022, recording 65 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 36 stops, 5.5 sacks, 42 pressures and one interception on the season. He excels at rushing through the B-Gap, but he has the versatility to play up and down the defensive line. In the Chiefs’ scheme, Johnson would likely play defensive end on first and second down and reduce to the play 3-technique on third down and key passing situations. His tape features a lot of plays where he wins with quickness, but there are also some really great effort plays too.
Johnson won’t be at next week’s combine in Indy, but Toledo’s Pro Day is currently scheduled for Monday, March 20th. Expect that Kansas City will be among the teams in attendance.
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