Some might wonder if we’re making too much of LJ because of the Senior Bowl. No. He was very good during the season as well. I know that Danny Watkins went to Mobile and really helped himself, but that was a bit different. We were still projecting Watkins from OT to OG. Johnson played OT at Oklahoma and will play that for the Eagles. He played RT at Oklahoma in 2011 and did some of that in Mobile and will play that spot for the Eagles in 2013. There is no projection. We know Johnson can play RT.
Cosell brings up a point about Johnson being raw. Compare this to kids from Iowa. Most of their OL redshirt for a year and then are backups for a season or two. They do play some in that time to get their feet wet. Then they start for 2 years and play in a pro style offense. Iowa OL are very well taught and come out of college as polished players. They have less upside. What you see is what you get.
2 years ago, Johnson was a friggin’ QB. He’s got a lot to learn, but he has the size/athleticism/skills to be a special player in the NFL. There are no guarantees that he’ll pan out, but I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t.
I will be very surprised if he’s not a solid starter. But at 4 overall, you’re expecting a perennial pro bowler/cornerstone. I hope he becomes that, he definitely has that potential.
Imno Cosel, but to me Johnson isn’t a project. He’s a starter right now who at worst will.be an ok starting RT. At best he will be another Peters in a few years. He may not, which makes him raw, but he seems to have the potential.