With the 76th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select:
Kerryon Johnson Running Back Auburn
Johnson is listed at 5’11, 212 lbs. and is a powerful, yet patient runner.
Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson is a sleeper in this year’s NFL Draft
The Auburn product could be a great fit for a physical team in the AFC North.
By
Kyle J Andrews Mar 8, 2018, 8:30am EST
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In this game, Johnson had to fight through injury and was able to stay on the field to finish with 30 carries, for 104 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also had a passing touchdown in the “Wildcat” formation. Another area where Johnson showed up was in pass blocking, where he often gave quarterback
Jarrett Stidham more time to complete a pass downfield. He did let
Minkah Fitzpatrick off of the edge on one play at 3:11.
However, his game also had some flaws too. In some of these plays, Johnson ran high, leaving himself open for big hits. He also seemed to turn around instead of fighting for extra yardage up the field. This game is a perfect example of Johnson’s pros and cons as an NFL Draft prospect.
Brugler also listed Johnson’s areas of improvement in his scouting report.
“Runs erect and doesn’t consistently drop his hips to generate burst,” wrote Brugler. “Not the most graceful runner in tight spaces. Doesn’t consistently lower his pads, exposing his body and the ball. Holds the ball loose and needs to improve his security (despite only three fumbles at Auburn).”
For the most part, these are fixable problems. The Ravens assisted running back
Alex Collinswith his fumbling issues. Though Johnson hasn’t fumbled in an NFL game and didn’t have fumbling issues in college, he could always improve this area by holding the ball tighter and lower. In
Collins’ case, he fumbled four times, but he was still able to carry the ball 212 times, for 973 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and six touchdowns in 2017.
The Ravens will most likely go into the 2018 season with Collins, Buck Allen and
Kenneth Dixon as their running backs. If Baltimore were to select Johnson in the second (where Brugler projected him) or later, they will add a running back that has very few flaws in his game and can provide a physical presence in the AFC North.
@RamsFlash80 is on the clock
@TK42-RAM is on deck