Boston College’s Zion Johnson stands out as one of the best interior offensive line prospects in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. Coming out of high school in Maryland, Johnson began his collegiate career with Davidson, starting 19 games over two seasons. He transferred to Boston College ahead of his junior year and spent the next three season with the Eagles. Johnson alternated positions between guard and tackle before settling at guard for fifth-year senior season in 2021. This past year, he earned honors as a First-Team All-ACC member and First-Team All-American.
NAME
Zion Johnson
POSITION
Offensive Guard
HEIGHT
6’3″
WEIGHT
312 pounds
SCHOOL
Boston College
Around FPC
NFL RUMORS: Deshaun Watson Traded To The Cleveland Browns
NFL NEWS: Raiders Opinion: Tae Day And Everybody’s Celebratin’
NFL DRAFT: 2022 NFL Draft Profile: OG Kenyon Green
NFL MOCK DRAFT: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Lions Snag Malik Willis
NHL: NHL Insights: Tyler Toffoli Trade, Jack Eichel’s Return and Wild West
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 36: Deshaun Watson Traded To The Cleveland Browns
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Strengths
Athleticism/Mobility: Johnson is at his best on the move, when he can demonstrate his impressive quickness and fluidity to locate and block defenders all over the field. He’s very adept at coming off of double teams while finding and blocking linebackers at the second level. He can also get on his horse and lead the way when pulling for outside sweeps or counters. Johnson is an unusually dynamic athlete for an interior offensive lineman, and he knows how to exploit that advantage on the field.
Length and Anchor: With 34″ arms, Johnson has excellent length for a guard. He’s typically able to establish first contact with the defensive lineman he’s up against, and from there he usually controls the rep with his very good grip strength and anchor. It’s exceedingly difficult to push Johnson back into the pocket, because his leverage and core strength enables him to hold his ground. Once he gets his hands on a defender, he can usually move his feet well enough to mirror in pass protection.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent Feet in Pass Protection: Johnson is a very good linear athlete and checks nearly every box from a physical standpoint. His lateral agility, however, leaves something to be desired. While he can usually keep up with defensive tackles at close range, he can be beaten by blitzing linebackers coming with speed from depth. This is the case with a lot of guards, so it’s certainly not a death knell, but it is a limitation that keeps him from being an elite prospect. Apart from his resticted lateral mobility, Johnson can sometimes neglect to move his feet late in the down, and as a result defenders can swim past him.
Balance: Johnson sometimes plays with a narrow base, which can leave him lunging or leaning in order to recover. When blocking on the move, Johnson does a good job of finding a defender and delivering a blow. He can sometimes approach too high, however, and stumble off his block after initial contact.
Ideal Role
Starting Guard in Any Scheme: Johnson is one of the safer prospects in this entire draft. Any team that selects him can therefore feel confident they’re getting a quality day-one starter. He has the tools and physical makeup to excel in either a wide zone or gap-based scheme.
Potential Fits
If Johnson comes off the board in the back end of the first round, then the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, or Buffalo Bills could call his name. Should he slip into the early second round, the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, or Atlanta Falcons would love to snap him up.
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Pick & Rollout: Xavier at Creightonby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 8:15 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Auburn at West Virginiaby Broken Controller Media on January 28, 2023 at 7:00 am
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, January 27thby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 1:30 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Air Force at New Mexicoby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Raptors at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Buffalo at Kent Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Cavs at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Oakland at Youngstown Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
Magic at Heatby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm