Packers Hosting Athletic, Small-School D-Lineman

Missouri State defensive lineman Eric Johnson is one of the most athletic big guys in the 2022 NFL Draft.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will host Missouri State defensive lineman Eric Johnson on a predraft visit, according to a source.

Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson was the first to report the visit.

Taking advantage of the COVID bonus year, Johnson played in a school-record 55 consecutive games as a five-year starter for the Bears and was an all-Missouri Valley second-team selection each of the past two years.

As a sixth-year senior, he recorded 43 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 6.5 for losses, and added three blocked kicks. In his final collegiate game, an FCS playoff clash against Tennessee-Martin, he dominated with 11 tackles, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.

He finished his career with 6.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for losses.

Johnson was picked for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he had one sack. Then, his agent, Harold Lewis, got him added to the Senior Bowl roster.

“Even while going through that, it still felt like a dream,” Johnson told Pro Football Network. “I was excited with the whole NFLPA, and I was on a plane back home and thinking about training again and getting ready for pro day. My agent called me as we’re pulling out of the gate and said, ‘Hey, we got you into the Senior Bowl, you gotta get off the plane!’ and I was like, ‘I can’t stop this plane!’

“It was so cool. Just the fact that people kept telling me that I put in so much work and did so well, and your performance bought you this opportunity. That part really stuck. Because of what I did and how I performed and what I put on film, it opened this door for me. It was that image that stuck, that I earned this, I earned being there.”

At pro day, he measured 6-foot-4 3/8 and 299 pounds with 34 3/4-inch arms. He ran his 40 in 4.86 seconds and put up 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press. The only defensive tackles at the combine that ran faster were Georgia's Devonte Wyatt (4.77) and Jordan Davis (4.78).

His work at the all-star games, then his workout, have him a consideration to go in the middle of Day 3.

Johnson’s father, Eric Johnson Sr., was a defensive lineman at Illinois State before embarking on a professional career that included stints in the CFL and XFL.

“I've been talking to my dad and he's been giving me advice," Johnson told The Springfield News-Leader recently. "Now that we know that we can officially make it and we have the ability, that can't be the only goal.

“We have to raise the bar. It was all 'let's get into a training camp' or 'let's get drafted.' Now, it's ‘We're trying to get on a team, we want to make the roster and we want to make it on a team.' We want to make it last.”

All-Packers Mock Draft 4.0

Here is our fourth all-Green Bay Packers mock draft, with this one created with the aid of the Pro Football Focus simulator.

First Round: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

This was an easy one. Of the Big Five receivers – Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, USC’s Drake London, Alabama’s Jameson Williams, Ohio State’s Chris Olave and Arkansas’ Treylon Burks – only Burks was available. So, Burks is the pick. Burks might not have great speed but his physicality will fit what coach Matt LaFleur likes to do.

First Round: OLB Boye Mafe

With absolutely no depth behind the starters, the Packers are one injury away from a major problem. Is Mafe a dominating player? No. Is Mafe a finished product? Not even close. In 2019, the same things were said about Rashan Gary. That picked worked out OK. This one will, too. Mafe had seven sacks as a senior and fits the bill physically at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds with ridiculous 4.53 speed in the 40. With the offensive tackles off the board, this pick took 0.2 seconds.

Second Round: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State

LaFleur wants speed. At 6-foot-4 and with a 4.37 clocking in the 40, speed is what Marquez Valdes-Scantling brought to the party. Hello, Christian Watson, who at 6-foot-4 has 4.36 speed, better all-around athleticism and a better skill-set. He dominated the FCS ranks not only as a receiver but as a kickoff returner. Linebacker Quay Walker and offensive tackle Abraham Lucas were considerations.

Second Round: OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State

The last two seasons have been ruined by David Bakhtiari’s torn ACL. As it stands with Elgton Jenkins coming off a torn ACL, the Packers will line up in Week 1 with Bakhtiari at left tackle, Yosh Nijman at right tackle and … who knows as the No. 3. This is a huge need. Lucas might be a bit of a reach at this spot but he’s got the athleticism the Packers covet on the offensive line and a wealth of pass-protecting experience.

Third Round: TE Jelani Woods, Virginia

PFF gave this pick an F. Robert Tonyan, who is mostly an overgrown receiver, and Marcedes Lewis, who is mostly a glorified offensive lineman, are back but will be free agents next season. The Packers have a history of tight ends in the third round with Richard Rodgers, Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara. A transfer from Oklahoma State, he caught 44 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. At 6-foot-7 and 253 pounds, Woods is an elite physical package for the position.

Fourth Round: DT Neil Farrell, LSU

The Packers have Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton and veteran addition Jarran Reed as their defensive linemen. They need one more to give them a five-man rotation for the season. Farrell is a massive man at 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds. SEC blockers couldn’t handle his combination of size and surprising quickness.

Fourth Round: S Tycen Anderson, Toledo

PFF hated this pick, giving it a D-minus. Anderson is an elite package at 6-foot-2 and with 4.36 speed in the 40. He played deep, in box and has a history of coverage. Zero interceptions the past three seasons is troubling. If nothing else, he will be a weapon on special teams. He has a strong history in that capacity, with more than 800 snaps on the Rockets’ kicking units. The Packers have a potential long-term need at safety, with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage entering their final season under contract.

Fifth Round: LB Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M

PFF hated this pick, too, dispensing another F. Hansford caught three passes as a redshirt freshman receiver in 2017 before making the move to defense in 2019. In 2021, he led the team with 89 tackles and was third with 8.5 tackles for losses. At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, he’s got good speed (4.64 in the 40) and strength (24 reps on the bench). If his vision improves with experience, he could become a quality starter.

Seventh Round

OL Nick Zakelj, Fordham

At 6-foot-6 and 316 pounds, Zakelj started 45 games over five seasons at the school made famous by Vince Lombardi. He was a four-time all-conference selection. With 32 1/2-inch arms, he’ll probably be headed to guard. The Packers are always looking for versatile backups on the line and he was the best available after UConn’s uberathletic Ryan Van Demark went one spot earlier.

RB Tyler Goodson, Iowa

With Aaron Jones a potential cap-saving cut next offseason and with Kylin Hill coming off a torn ACL, I really wanted to throw a late-round pick at a running back. During his final season, Goodson rushed for 1,151 yards and caught 31 passes. At about 200 pounds, he doesn’t pack much of a punch but he’s got 4.42 speed in the 40 and superb footwork. It’s pretty easy to see him lining up in the slot in the old Tyler Ervin role.

CB Jaylen Watson, Washington State

The Packers have a great starting trio at cornerback but little in the way of depth. Watson was a first-time starter as a senior, when he picked off two passes and broke up five. He’s got size (6-foot-2), speed (4.48), athleticism (38 vertical) and physicality. He’s just raw. So long as Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes start all 17-plus games together, he can watch and learn as a rookie.