2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kerryon Johnson

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Kerryon Johnson, 5-11/213 Running Back Auburn

Kerryon Johnson Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Smooth runner; glides through the defense

Three-down starting potential back

Instinctive, natural runner

Downhill runner

Quickness

Accelerates to the second level

Impressive ability to redirect

Vision

Cutting ability

Patient

Good balance

Has some strength

Finishes runs well

Capable of creating for himself

Doesn’t hesitate to get physical

Can hurt defenses on perimeter runs

Good body lean to run low

Runs behind pads

Bends at the knee

Keeps feet going after contact

Took on a big work load

Tough; played injured

Has receiving skills

Soft hands

Weaknesses:

Not overly fast

Not overly powerful

Gets dinged up with nagging injuries

Summary: Entering the 2017 season, Johnson was not expected to be the feature back at Auburn after Kamryn Pettway led the Tigers in rushing during an impressive 2016 season. As the backup running back in 2016, Johnson ran for 895 yards and 11 scores. However in 2017, Johnson became the lead back for Auburn and was dominating runner for part of his junior year. Johnson carried Auburn to wins over Georgia (32-167) and Alabama (30-104-1) to put his draft stock on the map late in the 2017 season. Versus both defenses loaded with NFL talent, Johnson was very impressive and had his way with them. A shoulder injury slowed him down in the final two contests of the year.Johnson averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,391 yards with 18 touchdowns. He also took 24 receptions for 194 yards and two scores.



In 2017, Johnson showed that he has three-down starting ability for the NFL. The junior is a well-rounded runner with quickness, cutting ability, vision, patience and balance. He is a tough runner who can go North-South or hurt defenses with runs to the perimeter. Johnson also runs smoothly, possessing nice change-of-direction skills to weave his way through the defense and glide for yards. He also played banged up, illustrating his toughness to withstand a heavy work load and some hard hits. Johnson dealt with a few injuries, however, and durability could be an issue for him in the NFL.

Johnson was impressive as a receiver in 2017, showing some nice route-running and soft hands. He was a dangerous outlet receiver for Auburn and could be that in the NFL. As a pro, Johnson will have to learn NFL blitzes, but in time, he has the potential to be a three-down starter.

In the 2018 NFL Draft, Johnson is likely to be a a second- or third-round pick.





Player Comparison: Arian Foster. Team sources suggested Foster as a comparison for Johnson. They said that Foster was a thicker, heavier version, but they are similar as a smooth runners who weave through a defense. Foster also was a receiving threat like Johnson was at Auburn. Foster went undrafted because of a variety of issues, but the Texans were very wise to sign him as he turned into one of the best running backs in the NFL during his prime. Johnson is grading out on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft.

NFL Matches: Cleveland, New York Giants, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Detroit, San Francisco and Pittsburgh

There are a lot of teams that could consider taking Johnson on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns moved on from Isaiah Crowell and signed Carlos Hyde. If they don’t land Saquon Barkley in the first round, Johnson could make sense for their third-round pick.

In the Big Apple, the Giants could use a feature back for their offense, and Johnson would give them a physical rushing attack that they haven’t had in years. If they doesn’t take Barkley at pick No. 2, the Giants could be interested in Johnson in the second round.

Similarly, the Colts could use a running back of the future to pair with Andrew Luck and bring a more steady rushing attack to their offense. Indianapolis could target Johnson with one of its trio of second-round picks.

Tampa Bay needs a feature back after moving on from Doug Martin. I think the Bucs are more likely to target other backs in the second round, but if they trade down from that pick, Johnson could be in play for them.

In the Bay Area, San Francisco could use a lead back for its offense. Johnson could be a fit for Kyle Shanahan with his ability to contribute as a receiver. Oakland badly needs more consistency from its rushing offense. Predictably, Marshawn Lynch was a disappointment coming out of retirement, and Doug Martin isn’t a long-term answer. The Raiders need a true feature back to go with Derek Carr.

For years now, the Lions have had one-dimensional offense with one of the worst rushing attacks in the league. Detroit needs a true No. 1 back to bring some balance to the offense. Johnson would be a nice fit for the Lions as a second- or third-rounder.

The Steelers have Le’Veon Bell for another season, but they have not signed Bell to a long-term contract extension. Johnson has a similar style to Bell, and the Steelers could draft Johnson to be Bell’s future replacement.

2018 NFL Draft Scouting Reports - Choose Player 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Reports - Home Adonis Alexander, CB, Virginia Tech Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma Dorance Armstrong, DE, Kansas Marcel Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State Sam Beal, CB, Western Michigan Andrew Brown, DE, Virginia Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma Taven Bryan, DT, Florida Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia D.J. Chark, WR, LSU Geron Christian, OT, Louisville Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon James Daniels, C, Iowa Sam Darnold, QB, USC Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn Duke Dawson, CB, Florida Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama Luke Falk, QB, Washington State Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State Rasheem Green, DT, USC Derrius Guice, RB, LSU DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama Will Hernandez, G, UTEP Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan Donte Jackson, CB, LSU Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa Derwin James, S, Florida State Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn Ronald Jones, RB, USC Arden Key, DE, LSU Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia Harold Landry, DE, Boston College Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State Iman Marshall, CB, USC Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame Sony Michel, RB, Georgia Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford Billy Price, C, Ohio State Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State Justin Reid, S, Stanford Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State Jaylen Samuels, RB, N.C. State Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech Braden Smith, G, Auburn Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU Chad Thomas, DE, Miami Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State Vita Vea, DT, Washington Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson Connor Williams, OT, Texas Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

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