Analysis of the Chargers’ pick of OL Zion Johnson with No. 17 overall selection

What the selection of Zion Johnson means for the Los Angeles Chargers.

[mm-video type=video id=01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw playlist_id=01eqbw8wt3mb6q1n2h player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw/01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw-8f553da654dd7e1f6abe97e126f58db8.jpg]

The Chargers have drafted a new starting guard in the form of Boston College guard Zion Johnson at No. 17 overall.

Johnson clocks in at 6’2 ⅝” and 314 pounds with 34” arms, which are long enough to play tackle if teams asked him to. Johnson also has experience at left tackle, where he played in stretches as an Eagle.

With a 9.55 RAS score, Johnson has elite testing numbers nearly across the board. The only middling number is the 10-yard split, suggesting a tiny deficiency in getting off the ball at the snap.

Johnson’s best traits come in pass blocking, which will be music to Justin Herbert’s ears, as he has a great anchor, foot speed, and lateral agility. As a run blocker, he is solid, as he plays with good leverage and power at the point of attack. Overall, it is the skillset to be a Day 1 starter.

With Johnson officially a Bolt, Los Angeles could be poised to move Feiler to right tackle, where he played for the Steelers in 2019. PFF had him at his best that season with a grade of 75.9.

Or, the team could be in a position to plug Johnson in as the starting right guard, which was formerly played by Oday Aboushi last season, and keep Feiler at left guard.

That would leave the right tackle spot as a question mark. However, the Chargers may believe Trey Pipkins, who has been working with Duke Manyweather, the best offensive lineman developer this offseason, as the starter.

The bottom line is that both Herbert and Austin Ekeler should be thrilled to welcome Johnson to Los Angeles for years to come.

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ selection of OL Zion Johnson

The reaction social media had to the pick of Zion Johnson to join the Los Angeles Chargers.

With the No. 17 overall selection in the 2022 NFL draft, the Chargers took former Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson.

Here’s the reaction social media had to the pick of Johnson to join the Bolts.

Los Angeles Chargers select Boston College OG Zion Johnson with the 17th pick. Grade: A-

The Los Angeles Chargers have selected Boston College OG Zion Johnson with the 17th pick. Grade: A-

With the X pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the X select Boston College OG Zion Johnson.

GRADE: A-.

This doesn’t address the Chargers’ run defense issues, but good luck getting anything done on defense against a left side of Johnson and Rashawn Slater. In consecutive years, Los Angeles took the best tackle (Slater) and the best guard (Johnson) in their classes, and it’s tough to argue with that.

Height: 6’2 5/8″ (7th) Weight: 312 (53rd)
40-Yard Dash: 5.18 seconds (68th)
10-Yard Split: 1.75 seconds (72nd)
Bench Press: 32 reps (89th)
Vertical Jump: 32 inches (89th)
Broad Jump: 112 inches (91st)
3-Cone Drill: 7.38 seconds (92nd)
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.46 seconds (94th)

Wingspan: 82 3/8 inches (77th)
Arm Length: 34 inches (65th)
Hand Size: 10 5/8 inches (89th)

Bio: Johnson was a golf star at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and he didn’t try out for football until his junior year of high school. He started his senior season at right tackle, with 2021 Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Christian Darrisaw at left tackle. Still, Johnson’s lack of football experience rendered him a no-star recruit out of high school, and he started his next step at Davidson College, a private liberal arts school in North Carolina. Johnson got his big break in 2019, when former Davidson coach Phil Trautwein was hired at Boston College and gave Johnson a scholarship. He played left guard for the Eagles in 2019, moved to left tackle in 2020, and back to left guard in 2021. Johnson made First Team All-ACC in 2021, and participated in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Stat to Know: Johnson’s 2021 Blown Block rate of 0.3% was the lowest for any NCAA offensive lineman, regardless of position. Over three seasons at Boston College, he allowed just three sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 24 quarterback hurries on 1,074 pass-blocking snaps.

Strengths: Most of the pressures Johnson was involved in allowing were more about stunts and blitzes not picked up by one side of the line overall; you just don’t see him getting physically overwhelmed at all in the passing game. Even when defenders get through the line, as happened on this play against Clemson, Johnson had his guy all the way out of the formation.

On this run, watch him pass off the twist to either side, hit the second level, and take the poor defender right off the screen.

Actually, Johnson seems to have a preference for plays in which he can get to the second and third levels so he can chase defenders right out to the parking lot. It’s fun to watch!

Weaknesses: Johnson will occasionally allow pressure to the side, but it’s not something that shows up over and over — it’s just something to watch at the next level.

His deliberate reaction to stunts is a bigger issue. Johnson will need to identify defenders more quickly as they move late into his lens.

Conclusion: Given Johnson’s relative lack of experience at the left guard position, it’s pretty amazing how many of the nuances of the position he’s picked up. He’s scheme-transcendent, as he showed over three years when his college team moved from equal parts zone and gap blocking to 2021’s heavy zone approach, and there isn’t much you see on tape that you either don’t like, or can’t clean up pretty quickly with NFL-level coaching. He’s as plug-and-play as any IOL in this class, with tantalizing physical potential to hit the Pro Bowl level over time

NFL Comparison: Jahri Evans. Johnson profiles well as an in-line and pull/sweep blocker, but it’s his ability to get downfield and just nuke defenders in space that sets him apart and reminds me very much of Evans, who may have been the best move guard of his era. At Evans’ peak, he was an indispensable part of Sean Payton’s offenses with his ability to hit (and kill) the second and third levels of a defense, and I think that Johnson projects similarly with an outstanding combination of power and agility.

2022 NFL draft: Chargers pick OL Zion Johnson with No. 17 overall selection

The Chargers bolstered their offensive line with the selection of former Boston College guard Zion Johnson.

[mm-video type=video id=01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw playlist_id=01eqbw8wt3mb6q1n2h player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw/01g1sh00543r1waj3fjw-8f553da654dd7e1f6abe97e126f58db8.jpg]

The Chargers have taken former Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson with the No. 17 overall selection.

Johnson transferred from Davidson in 2019 where he played in all 13 games and saw 7 starts at left guard. Johnson then spent the 2020 season at left tackle, starting there in all 11 games.

Finally, he returned to his natural left guard spot in 2021 where he started 11 out of 12 games there while starting at left tackle for the final game.

The former Davidson and Boston College lineman gives Los Angeles the flexibility to move Matt Feiler to right tackle, where he played well as a starter on the Steelers.

It also retains the nasty run-blocking combo on the left side, where standout Rashawn Slater and Johnson would be combining to open gaping holes for Austin Ekeler and company.

Predicting the 2022 NFL Draft’s last man standing in the green room

It could be a long night for one prospect.

By now, as you know, the NFL Draft is a massive spectacle.

A red carpet walk. Flashing lights on a massive stage being aired across multiple TV networks. Incredible suits. There’s nothing like it.

But it’s the green room — where top prospects gather with their families– that tops the football extravaganza.

Usually, players invited to the green room are those expected to come off the board early. This can get awkward when a player doesn’t get drafted as early as they expected. When they’re the last man standing — as the camera keeps panning over to them talking to someone on the phone — you can’t help but feel bad for them.

Remember what happened with this guy?

 

Here are the 21 confirmed green room prospects of this year’s draft:

Let’s run through a few prospects we might be feeling unbearable second-hand embarrassment for by the end of the night.

2022 NFL draft: Alex Katson’s final 7-round projections for Chargers

Find out how Chargers Wire’s Alex Katson thinks the 2022 NFL draft will play out for Los Angeles.

It’s almost time for Roger Goodell to address NFL fans worldwide from Las Vegas to open the 2022 NFL Draft. So here’s one last look at a possible Chargers haul across all seven rounds from our Alex Katson.

1.17: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

Johnson has been my preference for this selection for a few weeks now, especially with rumors that other Chargers targets like WR Chris Olave or CB Trent McDuffie may not tumble to 17. The former Davidson and Boston College lineman gives LA the flexibility to move Matt Feiler to right tackle, where he played well as a starter on the Steelers. It also retains the nasty run-blocking combo on the left side, where standout Rashawn Slater and Johnson would be combining to open gaping holes for Austin Ekeler and co.

3.79: DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky

As much as fans want to see Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the field as much as possible, there are going to be times when one or both of them are on the sideline for breathers. When that occurs, the Chargers’ best option right now is 2021 fourth-rounder Chris Rumph, who may not be ready to take on that role on his own. Malone is a touch undeveloped as a standup rusher after mainly playing defensive end as a Hilltopper, but deploying him in designated pass rush situations while Bosa and Mack coach him up could result in a diamond in the rough.

4.123: Danny Gray, WR, SMU

Gray has been a popular prospect to mock to the Chargers as a downfield speed threat with the potential to warp opposing defenses. He also has a bit of returner experience and could be the primary backup to DeAndre Carter. If the first three rounds don’t result in LA drafting a receiver, Gray will be an excellent selection early on Day 3.

5.160: Eyioma Uwazurike, IDL, Iowa State

Uwazurike has been heavily linked to the Chargers for a few months now, ever since the staff spent ample time working him out following Iowa State’s pro day in March. The defensive line is complete mainly after adding Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson, but a Day 3 pick to groom behind those players and Jerry Tillery could still be in order. It could also give us a clue on whether or not the Chargers plan to pick up Tillery’s fifth-year option.

6.195: Zamir White, RB, Georgia

I do believe Chargers fans are in for another Day 3 pick at running back after the struggles of Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III a year ago. White has experience in a rotation after splitting time with James Cook at Georgia. He was also the more bruising back of the two, which could take some pressure and wear and tear off of Ekeler, who’d be freer to utilize his receiving talents.

6.214: Montaric Brown, CB, Arkansas

A former four-star recruit, Brown is an instinctual zone corner who plays longer than he is. While his testing numbers aren’t the most inspiring, I think he could be worth a flier pick this late as a potential developmental depth piece at corner.

7.236: Chance Campbell, LB, Mississippi

Brandon Staley’s defense doesn’t value linebackers very highly, so I think an addition to the current room won’t come until late in the draft. The coaching staff is apparently high on 2021 rookies Amen Ogbongbemiga and Nick Niemann, but adding depth behind them will be necessary.

7.254: Jean Delance, OT, Florida

Delance is another player the Chargers have been linked to extensively after pre-draft meetings with him. While Trey Pipkins has substantially improved this offseason, according to trainer Duke Manyweather, adding a fourth tackle as quality depth never hurts.

7.255: Armani Rogers, TE, Ohio

Rogers might be a touch too similar to Donald Parham Jr. to justify this selection, but I can’t shake the feeling that LA could be the ones to take a shot on his athletic gifts. Rogers has never played tight end outside of an all-star environment at the Shrine Bowl, but the LA native has shown ample potential.

7.260: Joey Blount, S, Virginia

Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reported Wednesday that Blount visited the Chargers. While he’s mostly been talked about as a UDFA, interest from other teams has also ramped up in recent days. LA could need to spend a late pick on him to add depth to the safety corps if they’ve fallen in love.

New mock draft from Peter Schrager has Cardinals landing O-lineman

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager projects the Cardinals will land guard Zion Johnson in his final mock draft.

The Arizona Cardinals have the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The draft begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. Arizona time). There are only a few hours left for final projections and mock drafts to predict what will happen.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager released his final mock draft Thursday morning and it is always one for Cardinals fans to pay attention to, as Schrager is close with Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Kingsbury does not have the final say in the Cardinals’ selection, but Schrager definitely has some insight as to what Arizona might do.

In his latest projections, the Cardinals made Boston College offensive lineman Zion Johnson their selection at No. 23 overall.

Whip-smart with a graduate degree in computer science, Johnson can play either center or guard in Arizona.

Johnson might not start this season but could be the future at guard or center. He is intelligent and athletic.

In Schrager’s last mock draft, he had the Cardinals going with Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson. Dotson is off the board, getting selected No. 19 by the New Orleans Saints. The Cardinals pass on Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks, who lasts until the 30th overall pick to the Chiefs.

Schrager has said the Cardinals are locked in on drafting an offensive player in the first round after selecting defensive players each of the last two years.

Would the Cardinals pass on Burks for Johnson?

We will perhaps see that happen tonight when the draft happens.

[listicle id=467637]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Zion Johnson praises Titans’ culture: ‘That’s a destination I’d love to go’

Zion Johnson is one of many possibilities for the Titans at No. 26 overall in the 2022 NFL draft.

With one of the Tennessee Titans’ needs being at guard, Boston College’s Zion Johnson is a possibility for the team at No. 26 overall in the 2022 NFL draft — that is, if he’s still available at that point.

Johnson already has a connection to the Titans, as he was a teammate and roommate of head coach Mike Vrabel’s son, Tyler.

“He comes to the games, so I’ve had an opportunity to talk to him and meet him,” Johnson said of Vrabel, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “He’s a really good guy. I kind of get to meet him a bit through osmosis, through Tyler. They are very similar personalities, even though they may be kind of different. Tyler is a hilarious guy, and a great roommate. He was a great guy to play next to for so long. I wouldn’t have wanted to play next to anyone other than him.”

The 22-year-old, who has met with the Titans on multiple occasions leading up to the draft, heaped praise on the team’s culture, saying Tennessee is “a destination I’d love to go.”

“That’s a destination I’d love to go,” Johnson admitted. “I love their culture, some of the offensive line guys they’ve had – Rodger Saffold is one of the guys I’ve watched the most, and they just lost him. It would be great to go into that room and kind of fill that role.

“Taylor Lewan is a great left tackle; I’ve watched him quite a bit. Their right guard, Nate Davis, I started watching him a year ago and he has similar measurables to me, and he’s really good in the run game.”

As far as what he brings to the table, Johnson says he is reliable, dedicated, and won’t run into issues off the field.

“I am reliable,” he said. “I am not an off-the-field issue. I am someone who is going to be the first one in, last one out. I am someone who can lead, whether it is by example or by being vocal, whatever the situation requires. First and foremost, I want to win. I want to go somewhere where the culture is about winning.”

Johnson is one of my personal favorites among the Titans’ possibilities at No. 26 overall and would be a great pick if he lands in Tennessee’s lap on Thursday night.

[lawrence-related id=87761,87735,87730]

[listicle id=87757]

Cory Bonini’s 2022 NFL mock draft 4.0

A last-minute mock draft update ahead of Round 1.

This last-minute mock update on the eve of the 2022 NFL Draft’s first round remains without any projected trades, but there was plenty of player movement in the midsection of the round. The opening stanza figures to be one of the least predictable first rounds in recent memory and should be as entertaining as ever!

Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page containing all of our mock drafts, player scouting reports, live fantasy football blogging, post-draft analysis, and player rankings for every key pick relevant to fantasy football.

2022 NFL Mock Draft

Cowboys Wire’s Top 100 big board for 2022 NFL draft

With 9 picks in the draft and multiple holes, will the Cowboys land multiple top players? @ProfessorO_NFL provides commentary on his top prospects.

With the 2022 NFL draft right at the doorstep,  I’ve compiled my Top 100 big board for your review. While this board will have multiple players who were Cowboys Top 30 visits, the big board was compiled as a league-wide list without taking into account scheme fits. This list is based on film study, ability to fit in multiple schemes, talent, age, injury concerns and other factors.

It’s important to note that some prospects will be drafted higher or lower than their individual ranking on the big board due to positional value and runs on a certain position. With that said, let’s jump into CowboysWire’s top 100 big board for 2022.