7 interior offensive linemen the Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers could select Zion Johnson (Boston College)
Measurables
- Height: 6-foot-3 |Â Weight: 316 pounds
– 2021 PFF grade – 84.4
Depending on who you ask, it’s a toss-up between Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson as to who is the top guard prospect. The former Boston College standout was a three-year starter for the Eagles – two years at left guard and one at left tackle – but his best play comes on the interior.
Maybe the opposite of Green, Johnson excels in pass protection. Although he is still more than capable in the run game,
With the Carolina Panthers struggling on so many occasions in pass protection this makes Johnson a tantalizing prospect. His stellar year in 2021 has seen the ex-Davidson Wildcat soar up draft boards to a potential first-round selection.
Johnson is primarily a left-sided lineman, which will be of interest to the Panthers as they currently look to fill the left guard and potentially left tackle spots – two positions that he played in college.
The prospect plays with an aggressiveness that has been sorely missing for the Panthers in recent memory. Johnson works to finish his blocks and dominate the opposition and despite having somewhat of a narrow build, he is usually perfectly in control of his stance.
Despite his size, Johnson has good lateral quickness which was important in Boston College’s zone run scheme, with Carolina focusing its offensive on the run game, having a player with 3 years of experience in a run-heavy system is something that Carolina will be attracted to.
Unlike Green, Johnsons’ hand placement is what stands him in good stead to come out on top in his reps, with most of his good play coming because he is quick to latch on to his opponents and use his power to win the first contact.
Johnson is somewhat of an underdog. He was a zero-star recruit out of Maryland and his only FCS offer was Davidson College in North Carolina before transferring to Boston College.
This has left him with a chip on his shoulder. Something Johnson puts to good use and taking nothing for granted is also going to assist his chances in the pros.