Mike Johnson information/profile

[DaMeatTroughsEgo 693]

Looks like he can step in day one if he beats out McClure/Dahl or whoever.

Mike Johnson

6'5 310 pounds | Guard | Alabama

Versatility - He played LT, RT, and LG at Alabama. Scouts project him as a OG in the pros and I have to agree. I think his versatility will add to his stock and it will probably make him the second OG taken in the 2010 NFL draft. A lot of scouts think he could start at RG and back up RT. I believe he could play RT but only in a man blocking scheme. He lacks the athleticism to play RT in a zone blocking scheme.

Technique- Very solid technique. Gets out of his stance quick and has a very good first punch. He constantly drives his opponent back and then gets to the second level. He does lack athleticism and lateral movement, which will make it hard for him to become an elite pass blocker. However, the fact that he is technically sound will make teams overlook some of his flaws. He is a very smart player and has no problem picking up stunts. He isn't much of a mauler but his technique makes up for a lot of it.

Pass Blocking-He is not the best pass blocker. The Bama line only allowed a sack a game, but looking at that alone might give you the wrong impression. Mike Johnson is not athletic and that shows when he faces fast DTs and DEs. If you look back at the SEC championship game, you'll see how much help he needed during passing downs.

f

Run Blocking- This is where he will make his money. He is a pretty impressive run blocker. He gets after his man on every play. In 2008 the Alabama line averaged 180+ yards a game on the ground, In 2009, that total raised to over 200 yards. Johnson is impressive sealing the hole. Again, if you look back at the SEC championship game, Johnson really only missed a of couple blocks. He gets off the ball so fast and really understand leverage in the run game.

Character Concerns-None that I know of. He was a leader at Bama and considered a very smart guy. Nothing big that may hurt his draft stock that I can find.

Overall- Mike Johnson is probably going to go around the top of the third round. Of course, you never know. Some team could reach for him in the 2nd round because he is an NFL ready run blocker. I have little info about whether he fits a man blocking scheme or zone but I believe he would do better in a man blocking scheme. His lack of quickness may make it hard to adjust to the zone scheme. However, his technique would help him be effective in either scheme. I believe interior linemen are in high demand and Johnson is probably the 3rd best interior linemen. I could see him having a successful career. He is definitely NFL ready and would probably be ready to start on day one.

[Falcons_own_nfc_south 2,972]

Looks like he can step in day one if he beats out McClure/Dahl or whoever.

Mike Johnson

6'5 310 pounds | Guard | Alabama

Versatility - He played LT, RT, and LG at Alabama. Scouts project him as a OG in the pros and I have to agree. I think his versatility will add to his stock and it will probably make him the second OG taken in the 2010 NFL draft. A lot of scouts think he could start at RG and back up RT. I believe he could play RT but only in a man blocking scheme. He lacks the athleticism to play RT in a zone blocking scheme.

Technique- Very solid technique. Gets out of his stance quick and has a very good first punch. He constantly drives his opponent back and then gets to the second level. He does lack athleticism and lateral movement, which will make it hard for him to become an elite pass blocker. However, the fact that he is technically sound will make teams overlook some of his flaws. He is a very smart player and has no problem picking up stunts. He isn't much of a mauler but his technique makes up for a lot of it.

Pass Blocking-He is not the best pass blocker. The Bama line only allowed a sack a game, but looking at that alone might give you the wrong impression. Mike Johnson is not athletic and that shows when he faces fast DTs and DEs. If you look back at the SEC championship game, you'll see how much help he needed during passing downs.

f

Run Blocking- This is where he will make his money. He is a pretty impressive run blocker. He gets after his man on every play. In 2008 the Alabama line averaged 180+ yards a game on the ground, In 2009, that total raised to over 200 yards. Johnson is impressive sealing the hole. Again, if you look back at the SEC championship game, Johnson really only missed a of couple blocks. He gets off the ball so fast and really understand leverage in the run game.

Character Concerns-None that I know of. He was a leader at Bama and considered a very smart guy. Nothing big that may hurt his draft stock that I can find.

Overall- Mike Johnson is probably going to go around the top of the third round. Of course, you never know. Some team could reach for him in the 2nd round because he is an NFL ready run blocker. I have little info about whether he fits a man blocking scheme or zone but I believe he would do better in a man blocking scheme. His lack of quickness may make it hard to adjust to the zone scheme. However, his technique would help him be effective in either scheme. I believe interior linemen are in high demand and Johnson is probably the 3rd best interior linemen. I could see him having a successful career. He is definitely NFL ready and would probably be ready to start on day one.

I'm happy now

[Bryant Denny 8]

I kind of thought they might go after Johnson if given the chance. He is a solid lineman with average ability but above average football IQ ,technique and a high character guy.

[me4falcons 671]

top 3 of the OGs and some people had him rated as #1

[Drathdon 252]

Love it!

[devilishdoyle 19]

I like it.

[ouachita90 1]

Nice read

Looks like he can step in day one if he beats out McClure/Dahl or whoever.

Mike Johnson

6'5 310 pounds | Guard | Alabama

Versatility - He played LT, RT, and LG at Alabama. Scouts project him as a OG in the pros and I have to agree. I think his versatility will add to his stock and it will probably make him the second OG taken in the 2010 NFL draft. A lot of scouts think he could start at RG and back up RT. I believe he could play RT but only in a man blocking scheme. He lacks the athleticism to play RT in a zone blocking scheme.

Technique- Very solid technique. Gets out of his stance quick and has a very good first punch. He constantly drives his opponent back and then gets to the second level. He does lack athleticism and lateral movement, which will make it hard for him to become an elite pass blocker. However, the fact that he is technically sound will make teams overlook some of his flaws. He is a very smart player and has no problem picking up stunts. He isn't much of a mauler but his technique makes up for a lot of it.

Pass Blocking-He is not the best pass blocker. The Bama line only allowed a sack a game, but looking at that alone might give you the wrong impression. Mike Johnson is not athletic and that shows when he faces fast DTs and DEs. If you look back at the SEC championship game, you'll see how much help he needed during passing downs.

f

Run Blocking- This is where he will make his money. He is a pretty impressive run blocker. He gets after his man on every play. In 2008 the Alabama line averaged 180+ yards a game on the ground, In 2009, that total raised to over 200 yards. Johnson is impressive sealing the hole. Again, if you look back at the SEC championship game, Johnson really only missed a of couple blocks. He gets off the ball so fast and really understand leverage in the run game.

Character Concerns-None that I know of. He was a leader at Bama and considered a very smart guy. Nothing big that may hurt his draft stock that I can find.

Overall- Mike Johnson is probably going to go around the top of the third round. Of course, you never know. Some team could reach for him in the 2nd round because he is an NFL ready run blocker. I have little info about whether he fits a man blocking scheme or zone but I believe he would do better in a man blocking scheme. His lack of quickness may make it hard to adjust to the zone scheme. However, his technique would help him be effective in either scheme. I believe interior linemen are in high demand and Johnson is probably the 3rd best interior linemen. I could see him having a successful career. He is definitely NFL ready and would probably be ready to start on day one.

Edited April 24, 2010 by ouachita90

[Chris D 86]

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/04/versatile_mike_johnson_could_p.html

This was a good pick. I didn't know ANYTHING about him going into the draft, but I'm starting to learn a lot now. He's really versatile. Good pick TD!!!

[NFL Draft Fan 07 186]

I guess I disagree with this guy about him being sound in his technique. He will bend his waist and doesn't sustain his blocks every snap. He looks like a mauler in the run game to me, not a technically sound guy. He might be able to play early, but I think he would be best sitting for a year, developing and then stepping in at LG. That is what I figured he would do when we drafted him.

[chris30277 98]

can he place C?

[freakyfalcon 723]

so is he a road grader or what? Some one on NFL network stated that he wasn't. I was wondering if that person even watched Bama football and the holes Johnson was opening up for Ingram, Richardson, and Coffee over the years.

[vabchbirdlover 1,526]

so is he a road grader or what? Some one on NFL network stated that he wasn't. I was wondering if that person even watched Bama football and the holes Johnson was opening up for Ingram, Richardson, and Coffee over the years.

Probably not. I, for one have and am stoked about this selection. Might not be

the greatest pass blocker, but his ability to open up holes in the run game more than

makes up for that preceived weakness.

ROLL TIDE and go Falcons!

[FalconsFanSC 73]

From The Huddle Report:

Mike Johnson OL Alabama

TALENT BOARD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STRENGTHS

Mike is a smart, talented left guard who has the athletic talent to play more than one position on the offensive line. He is quick enough off the snap when blocking for the running game. Mike has good balance and quick feet that get him out to the second level for a screen or to take LB's out. He shows very good lateral agility when pass blocking and is strong enough to handle the bull rush. He's also quick enough to adjust his blocking assignment to handle any stunts thrown at him. Mike shows good mental stamina to be an excellent left guard in the NFL and looks to me on film that he could play Left Tackle, Right Tackle and either guard position.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Mike will need to go to the combine and prove through agility drills that he can play the left tackle position. If he can do that, he will shoot up the charts faster than a teenage boy turning off his computer to hide his porno sites from mom who's knocking on the bedroom door.

BOTTOM LINE

Mike is a starting left guard right now. He should be able to start for the team that drafts him at that position the day after you the draft. That means he has first round talent. What will dictate at what point in the draft Mike will fall will depend if he can play left tackle. Most of the time, players like Mike get drafted in the second or third round but the need for "ready to play" offensive lineman is so great in the NFL that I would not be surprised at all if Mike is drafted in the first round by a playoff team needing good offensive linemen. If Mike proves that he can play the left tackle position, he could move up into the top fifteen in this draft, so keep track of Rob's value board for this kid. No matter where he's picked, Mike is ready to plug in to your offensive line and play at a high level right away. Mike has pro bowl potential at a few different offensive line positions, which, for me, makes him a player I believe smart teams will be dying to draft early. I call him Mike (Incognito) Johnson because right now he is playing his position at a very high level and nobody seems to notice.

[Russdogg 1,090]

STEAL.

[Hotlanta Steve 14]

Sounds like a great player, and a possible steal for where we got him.

But imo the bigger steal would have been Griffen.

[Arkansas Falcon 158]

I'm thinking that he could be a possible steal.

[RoastBeeph 40]

Sounds like a great player, and a possible steal for where we got him.

But imo the bigger steal would have been Griffen.

There is a reason 32 teams have passed on Griffen through the first 3 rounds. It isn't as if he is slipping through the cracks because no one has noticed that he is still available to drafted. There is something about him that the GMs do not like.