Panthers traded up with the Steelers to select Oregon EDGE DJ Johnson with the No. 80 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Panthers gave picks 93 and 132 to Pittsburgh for 80. A two-way player during his tenure in Eugene, Oregon, Johnson (6’4/260) played all of 2020 at tight end before transitioning back to EDGE for the last two years. He thrived during his one collegiate season as a starter, recording 39 tackles, 8.5 RGL, and 6.0 sacks while receiving Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors. Johnson recorded a respectable 75.2 PFF pass rush grade with a 24.7% win rate, respectable marks but they pale in comparison to his incredible 4.49s 40-yard dash and 1.51s 10-yard split that are scorching 99th percentile scores. He benched 28 reps (95th%) but woefully underperformed with sub 35th percentile marks on his jumping and agility tests. His power-to-speed transitions and bull rush are his calling cards, though he’s not as flexible and polished technically as you’d like to see from such an intriguing athlete. While Johnson has NFL-worthy traits, it’s very much a question of whether he can continue to develop now that he’s 24 and-a-half years old.
