2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Zion Johnson
- Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
- School: Boston College
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 312lbs
Film Watched: Clemson 2021, Missouri 2021, Virginia Tech 2021
Pro's:
- Wide interior lineman with stout trunk and broad upper half
- Powerful anchor; plenty of sand in his pants and will dig his heels in and absorb contact
- Plays with excellent leverage; bent knees, arched back, engages and drives upwards
- Strong throughout his torso, power transfer to arms is notable – big punch to the numbers
- Powerful hands that control the motion when he’s able to latch on
- Finishes every play – a real alpha dog mentality
- Fires quick jabs at his opponent’s numbers, and able to reset hands to accommodate changes in direction
- More than enough lateral agility when lining up at guard, able to get the required depth in his pass sets
Zion Johnson is a OG prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.55 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 54 out of 1175 OG from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/nNM0bZfHhm #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/8FZx4bbkoX
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Con's:
- Played at left tackle for BC in 2021 but size and lack of top end movement makes him a guard only in the NFL
- Sometimes a little over-aggressive as a run blocker, and savvy defenders can use his momentum against him
- Can be initially surprised by stunts, twists or double rush moves, but quick to reset and intercept
- Feet can feel a little hurried in his kick slide, but much more comfortable with this at guard
The Verdict:
“After enjoying an excellent pre-draft process Zion Johnson is an ascending prospect with a raft of good tape that will please scouts with his proficiency as both a pass protector and run blocker. Johnson took a step up from Junior College to go play at Chestnut Hill and didn’t miss a beat, acclimating very quickly to be a mainstay as part of the Eagles’ offensive line. Johnson has a slightly contradictory skillset in that he’s probably more polished in the passing game than he is the run, when his size and core strength would have you thinking otherwise. Despite that, he’s a very accomplished prospect who is NFL ready to start immediately, with a home as a left guard in a zone blocking scheme probably his ideal landing spot.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
PREDICTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Rated 5 out of 5