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2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida State’s Roderick Johnson

By jonfox

Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Bryan Cox (94) rushes as Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) blocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Florida Gators 27-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Bryan Cox (94) rushes as Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) blocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Florida Gators 27-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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What is the draft stock and scouting report Florida State’s Roderick Johnson?

Roderick Johnson is being feted as a top tackle prospect for the 2017 NFL draft and he’s started the season well for the Seminoles. This author has a lot of concerns about his skill set but he does grade out well.

When one watches the tape, the biggest red flag jumps out very quickly: Johnson’s handwork is very poor. He holds them low far too often and a defender who knows how to use their hands properly can easily slap him out of the way.

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Johnson also is mechanically unsound. His kickslide is very poor and stiff and this is one of the reasons that such an undersized(6-7 315 lbs) tackle prospect struggles with speed rushers. It’s not a bad idea for him to bulk up to 330 lbs and fully commit to being an NFL right tackle.

Johnson does do a lot of things well. He’s an amazing blocker in the open field. He has good speed and agility for a tackle prospect of his height and one of the reason Dalvin Cook gets so many big runs is because of Johnson’s skill in the 2nd and 3rd levels.

He also has very good power for a tackle. If he gets his hands working right and gets them on a defender, he’ll do very well moving them out of the way. This will have a lot of appeal in the NFL with teams thinking that they could teach his problems out of him.

As a pro comparison, Nate Solder isn’t a bad one. They both have hand use issues and they’re both more athlete tackles. As a draft grade, this author gives him a high 2nd round grade. He just isn’t in the same class as Cam Robinson or Mike McGlinchy.

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