The Chargers bolstered their offensive line with the pick of former Boston College guard Zion Johnson with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
I gave Tom Telesco and company an ‘A’ for the pick because he made it a priority to maximize the offense, which will keep Justin Herbert upright and create consistent holes for Austin Ekeler in the running game.
How did the national experts and analysts feel about Los Angeles’ first night of the draft? Here is a look at their grades for the selection of Johnson.
NFL Media’s Chad Reuter
“Leading up to the draft, I thought Johnson would be a good fit for the Chargers because he fills a big hole at right guard. I’ve graded him as a first-round pick for quite a while because he’s smart, hard-working, experienced, and does not give ground to any defensive lineman. He’s a 10-year starter with Pro Bowl potential. The Bolts may still look to add a right tackle, but the team can find value at that spot later in the draft.”
Grade: A
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski
“The coaching staff can immediately insert the rookie into the left guard spot and bump Matt Feiler to right tackle, where he’s previously experienced success as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or, Johnson can play right guard and solidify the interior, though right tackle would remain a problem area. Either way, the Chargers are now much stronger along the interior because Johnson looks like a future 10-year starter.”
Grade: A
Yahoo Sport’s Eric Edholm
“This is a fascinating pairing, one we didn’t see coming. Johnson was a tackle and guard at BC, but most NFL scouts believed his best spot in the pros was inside, at either guard or center. But the Chargers’ biggest OL vacancy is at right tackle. Hmm. We’ll reserve judgment on the positional fit and laud Johnson: a smart, savvy, competitive, and high-character blocker. Justin Herbert’s O-line got better, but now we wait to hear where Johnson lines up.”
Grade: B-
Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Hanson
“The Chargers hit with last year’s first-round pick (Rashawn Slater) and continue to boost their protection for Justin Herbert with Johnson. Johnson is smart and polished, plays under control and with good balance. Including his two seasons at Davidson, Johnson has double-digit starts at three different positions—left guard, right tackle and left tackle—and took reps at center during Senior Bowl week. While he can handle a spot start at tackle if necessary, he’s ideally suited to the play guard for the Chargers.”
Grade: B
Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash
“This is a quality pick for the Chargers, who will now put Johnson at right guard and move 2021 starter, Matt Feiler, to right tackle (where he ranked fifth in pass-block grade back in 2019). As lead draft analyst Mike Renner highlighted in the 2022 PFF Draft Guide, there are a few cons to his game. He’s a polished and stout performer with standout production. Johnson earned an 80.0-plus grade as both a pass- and run-blocker last season, recording just one penalty en route to an honorable mention PFF All-American honors. He then proceeded to light up the Senior Bowl as he didn’t lose a single pass-blocking rep during Senior Bowl week.”
Grade: Good
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer
“The Chargers’ offseason has been about trying to make a Super Bowl run with Justin Herbert. After they got their left tackle rock in Rashawn Slater in last year’s first-round, they get the ideal player to upgrade the right side, either inside or outside. Johnson does a little bit of everything well with his all-around skill set, featuring his natural agility and power.”
Grade: A
Fox Sports’ Rob Rang
“A year ago, the Chargers hit a home run with Rashawn Slater. L.A. might have duplicated that selection with the burly Johnson, whose girth, power and intangibles made him one of the safer prospects in this draft. Whether at guard or center — Johnson can play both — the Chargers got tougher up front and accomplished their No. 1 goal of protecting the investment in Justin Herbert.”
Grade: A