Penn State defensive tackle Austin Johnson has the potential to be a second round steal in the 2016 NFL Draft, but will the Minnesota Vikings select him?
Austin Johnson is one of the players who enjoys using his brain as much as he uses his body. He obtained a degree in journalism at Penn State so that he would have a broadcasting option after his professional football career is over. But, it is likely that he could have a long and successful career in the NFL if he can continue to grow and develop as a player.
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On the positive side of things, Johnson has a great mass, but it doesn’t seem to hamper his play too much. He shows the athleticism of an individual much lighter than him, and can put that on display when pursuing a ball carrier. Using his hands well, Austin Johnson can push around blockers and change the direction of plays. His intelligence is also a big bonus, as rarely falls for screens, misdirections or trick plays.
Sadly, there are some downsides to Johnson’s game. He needs to be able to anticipate the snap count better and get a better explosion off the line of scrimmage. Also, his hand usage needs to increase, because although he’s great when using them, he doesn’t use them often enough. Johnson also needs to show a more aggressive side and attack rather than contain.
Here are Penn State defensive tackle Austin Johnson’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:
Height: 6’4″
Austin Johnson compares to:
- CBS Sports: Eddie Goldman, Bears
- NFL.com: Dan Williams, Raiders
Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:
If the Minnesota Vikings are looking to bolster their defensive line but don’t want to use their top selection, they may take a good, hard look at Austin Johnson. He’s got potential, but needs to unlock that fire that will take him to the next level. Head coach Mike Zimmer might have the key to building Johnson up to being a massive draft day bargain.
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My Take:
I really like what I see from Austin Johnson. In a deep class of defensive tackles, his name seems to be ignored when it comes to mentioning the top prospects, but he should be. While he’s got some issues to work on, the talent and smarts are there and he also has nice athleticism for a big man. He’s definitely worthy of a second round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.