2017 NFL Draft Profile: Jaleel Johnson

Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
6-3, 316
Johnson was a five year player in the Iowa program, including a redshirt year in 2012.
As a freshman, he collected just one tackle in seven games. As a sophomore, he finished with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack.
As a junior, Johnson really got into a starting role, and finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one PBU, and six QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 55 tackles, 10 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, two PBUs, and five QB hurries.
The Good
Johnson has good short range quickness, and can explode off of the snap at times.
Has plenty of power at the point of attack when taking on first wave blockers.
Solid bull rush artist, with solid arm extension as a weapon.
Disengages blocks quickly.
Solid technique and decent body control in space.
Smart player, uses his brain as much as his body to make plays.
Has a nasty streak, and charges with violence.
Has very good change of direction ability for a guy his size.
The Bad
Plays too upright, and has uneven pad level.
Can get blocked out of a play when he does not get that first step down.
If he gets hit head on, he is out of the play.
Lacks expected core strength, and does not play up to his size at all times.
Does not put up a ton of numbers, and could get mitigated to NT, where he is responsible for moving bodies, not necessarily making plays.
Does not always show good understanding of what an offense is doing.
Good quickness in short bursts, but slow on longer plays, and does not have solid pursuit ability. A little bit plodding at times.
Final Overview
Johnson is a solid candidate to be placed at NT in the NFL, but do not expect him to make a ton of plays behind the line. It is largely his job at this point to move blockers out of the way, clearing a path for his teammates to make big plays. He is a little bit plodding at times, and although his motor never gives out, he just is not going to give you much in terms of outright play making ability. Services have graded him in the second round based on what people believe he can do, not necessarily on what he actually has done.