NFL Prospects 2009: Michael Johnson, DE

Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech is the premiere Defensive End in this year's draft class, and many analysts project him going in the #1 spot, a privilege that looks like Detroit's to lose. They have a LOT of needs, and DE is definitely one of them...

Michael Johnson is rather light for a defensive end, but this isn’t stopping NFL scouts from going nuts over him. He stands tall at 6’7” and weighs in at the 250-60 range. His height is what makes him particularly attractive at the position, as it should provide major disruption on pass plays. In a league where talent is being spread thin, players with Johnson’s frame and skill set are difficult to come by, which should make him a sure-fire first rounder, if not first overall. In the most recent Sports Illustrated, a coordinator in the NFL was discussing the value of the D-line, stating that the administration folks laugh when they see the media’s mock drafts loaded with wide receivers in the first round. They know the value of a good defenseman, and that talent at the position is certainly more difficult to come by. This makes Johnson all the more valuable. Of course, for every player there’s a downside, and Johnson has his share. Though he’s proven to be a talented pass rusher, Michael David Smith at NFL Fanhouse had this to say on Johnson’s status as a first-rounder:

“The reason I question whether he's one of the truly elite players in the 2009 draft class, though, is that he came off the bench as a situational pass rusher in his sophomore and junior years and didn't become a starter until this season. That tells me that Georgia Tech's coaches don't see Johnson as a complete player, even though NFL scouts seem to think he'll become one.”


The point that Michael Johnson has not been a key player in his formative years is well taken, but I don’t think this is a major downfall, and would compare it to, say, Felix Jones, who was a backup running back taken towards the end of the first round in 2008. In fact, many scouts prefer players who have not been used extensively at the collegiate level, as it suggests a fresh pair of legs and a possibility to be less injury-prone. A year ago, Michael Johnson was predicted to be a third-round pick, but staying for his senior year should ensure that he goes in the first round and, with any luck, may even go first overall.