Patrick Johnson 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Patrick Johnson

Position: EDGE

College: Tulane

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 240 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 98 overall

Position Rank: EDGE17

Strengths: Patrick Johnson did a little bit of everything at Tulane and that positional versatility will keep him on more teams’ boards. He has a stout overall frame and likes to play with a hard-hitting mentality, winning with foundational technique and above-average hustle. Johnson understands the realities of his physical profile and has the technical skills to cover up those deficiencies. He strikes with aggression and looks like he’s actively trying to light dudes up on every snap. When he gets inside a lineman’s frame, he has the grip strength and tenacity to win leverage and unlock the power in his lower half. Johnson plays with active hands as a pass-rusher and comes with varied moves that allow him to switch up his plan and win against more physically talented competition. Overall, he understands how to win one-on-one as a pass rusher and routinely puts himself in advantageous position.

Weaknesses: Johnson plays with solid technique as a college pass rusher, but there’s simply no denying that he lacks the length some teams want from a true pass-rushing defender. Beyond that, pass-setters that utilize their length well at the top of the hoop can easily run Johnson out as he doesn’t have the ideal overall mobility in his lower half to bend and press the edge. There are some moments as a run defender where Johnson seems to struggle keying the scheme and fitting appropriately. Those momentary lapses allow blockers to get into Johnson’s chest and he doesn’t have the upper-body play strength to disengage consistently. The want-to is apparent, but there are simply a couple of traits that need to improve to overcome some physical limitations.

What I Love: Johnson plays with good self-awareness, understanding his limitations and utilizing good overall technique combined with an alpha mentality and hustle to win. 

NFL Comparison: Noah Spence

Grade: 75/100

Position Specific Traits:

(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Athletic Ability: +

Pass Rush Power: +

Pass Rush Speed: ++

Run Support: +

Speed/Burst: ++

Strength: -