Best of the Packers: Top 10 defensive linemen since 1960
By Phil Watson
9. Ezra Johnson (1977-87)
The Green Bay Packers made a surprising selection with the 28th overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft, taking Morris Brown defensive end Ezra Johnson.
Johnson became a starter at right defensive end in 1978 and, unofficially, finished second in the NFL with 20½ sacks, earning a Pro Bowl berth.
After the sack became official in 1982, Johnson set a career-high in 1983 with 14½ and posted 41½ in all during his 11 years with the Packers, good for sixth on the team’s all-time list despite not including his first five seasons in the league.
Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Colts in April 1988 after he was released by Green Bay and later played two seasons with the Houston Oilers before retiring after the 1991 season, concluding a 15-year NFL career.
He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1997.
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