Scouting Report: Lane Johnson

Lane Johnson

Height:  6'6
Weight:  302
Position:  Offensive Tackle
School:  Oklahoma
Ranking:  #3 Offensive Tackle
Projection:  1st Round

Strengths
-Ideal frame for a Offensive Tackle.  Should be able to add weight.
-Has played both left and right tackle in college
-Long Arms (35") that allows him to keep defenders off his body.
-Elite athletic ability for the position.  Moves well laterally and in drops
-Does a great job of mirroring defenders and keeping them in front of him
-Has a nasty streak (surprising since he was  former QB)
-Makes everything look easy
-Reacts well to double moves
-Explodes off the line
-Successful pulling and trapping.  Can get to the next level.
-Good at blocking in space.  Especially in the second level
-Natural Knee bender
-High football IQ

Weaknesses
-Inexperienced.  Is a former QB, TE, and DE.  Played TE in JUCO.
-Light.  Could stand to add more weight.
-Not a powerful run blocker.  Tends to lung at times
-Lacks a strong anchor.  Can be beat by a good bull rush.

Summary
Not a whole lot of people know who Lane Johnson is, but that hasn't stopped him from shooting up draft boards and locking himself into a first round grade.  Lane Johnson is a former high school quarterback and played tight end at his Junior College.  Once Johnson got to Oklahoma they tried him out at defensive end before moving him to tackle where he really settled in.  You can tell that Johnson is a former skill player because he moves so well.  Lane Johnson is at his best when he is in pass protection where he can use that athletic ability to mirror defenders and keep them out of the backfield.  He can struggle in run blocking because he isn't overly strong yet, but does a good job with his technique and shielding off defenders.  Because of his athletic ability and potential scouts are really raving over him.  It was the Senior Bowl where Johnson really made people notice.  Johnson consistently locked down the top rushers and was only out shined by fellow tackle Eric Fisher.  Look for Johnson's name to go pretty quickly come draft day.  He could go as high as #7 to the Cardinals, but shouldn't fall past the Giants, Bears or Rams in the early 20s.  But San Diego is the strongest possibility.