What to Know: Packers meet with Toledo IDL Desjuan Johnson
By Paul Bretl
As part of the pre-draft process, the Green Bay Packers will meet with dozens upon dozens of NFL draft prospects over the coming months. The latest reported meeting came with interior defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson from Toledo, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.
The Packers and Johnson met while he was competing in the East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star game. There, Johnson generated two pressures, two tackles, and a stop in just 16 snaps.
Johnson stands 6’3″ and weighs 275 pounds. He’s an experienced player with nearly 2,100 career snaps, about half of which came lined up in the B-gap. He also has experience lined up over the offensive tackle as a traditional edge rusher as well.
The most recent 2022 season was by far Johnson’s best. He finished the year with a career-high 42 pressures, seven sacks, and 36 stops–or plays that constitute a loss for the offense, as defined by PFF. This was preceded by a 2021 campaign that included 24 pressures, five sacks, and 34 stops.
By several of PFF’s metrics, Johnson ranked as one of the most disruptive interior defenders in 2022, both against the run as well as the pass. Johnson finished the season ranked seventh in overall grade from PFF among qualified defenders. He also ranked third in pass rush productivity, an efficiency metric, and fourth in total run stops.
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Johnson has a smaller frame and could be utilized more often as an edge defender at the NFL level. Whether he is lined up inside, outside, or both, the Packers have to bolster their depth at both the interior and edge rusher positions.
As of now, we do not know when Rashan Gary will be back on the field, and behind Preston Smith and JJ Enagbare on the depth chart are Jonathan Garvin and La’Darius Hamilton. Along the interior defensive line, only Chris Slayton and Jonathan Ford are listed behind Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and TJ Slaton.
One area where the Packers have to find more impact plays while also becoming more consistent in 2023 if this defense is going to turn things around is in the trenches. Without Gary, the pass rush was inconsistent at best, and Green Bay again struggled against the run for much of the year. Currently, the NFL Mock Draft Database has Johnson projected as a seventh-round pick.
With the NFL Combine taking place next week, the reported meetings between the Packers and potential prospects is only going to continue ramping up.