The Philadelphia Eagles have chosen their final pick. Closing out the 2021 NFL Draft for The Birds is Patrick Johnson at No. 234 overall.
Johnson, a defensive edge from Tulane, is officially being listed as a linebacker. He is the fourth consecutive defender selected by general manager Howie Roseman, following JaCoby Stevens.
PRE-NFL SUCCESS
Although Johnson didn’t have an exciting freshman year, he became a starter in 2018, leading the team with 10.5 sacks. Becoming the third player in Tulane history to hit double-digit single-season sacks, he also finished with four forced fumbles.
The following year, Johnson led the team in sacks again. He also completed 35 tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss (a team-high).
In 2020, he played nine games totaling 36 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks. In all three years he started, he finished with All-AAC honors.
WHAT PATRICK JOHNSON BRINGS TO THE TABLE
In Johnson’s scouting report by NFL’s Lance Zierlein, he stated that despite his size, he’s able to hold his own.
Zierlein stated, “Projects as a rugged stand-up rush linebacker who plays the game with his mad face on. Johnson possesses the compact frame, play strength and hang usage to set strong edges and hold his own when the running game rolls downhill at him. He lacks desired length and explosiveness as a rusher but varies his angles and targets the blocker’s edge to help make up those deficiencies. While he definitely smells blood once he’s in the pocket, he’s more likely a hard-hat rusher than a highly productive sack master on the next level. He should come into the league as a solid backup at 3-4 outside linebacker with the potential to become a rotational defender or eventual starter down the line.
Though experts see him as a 3-4 outside linebacker, the Eagles likely will pursue a 4-3 role under Philadelphia’s new defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon.
