RB David Johnson Scouting Report

[NeonDeion21]

What The Experts Are Saying:

“Johnson lacks the short-area quickness to be a consistently effective every-down running back, but he has good size, speed and hands so he can’t just be dismissed. He doesn’t run routes well enough and isn’t sudden enough to be a wide receiver, so he might have to be a third-down back with kick-return potential.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

“The most productive rusher in Northern Iowa history, Johnson’s size and skill-set lead some to believe he projects as a better H-back or move tight end at the next level.” – Dane Brugler

Read more at http://cover32.com/cowboys/2015/04/...boys-draft-david-johnson/#r3KElhwcZZoKHGR4.99

 

[NeonDeion21]

One of the most explosive RBs we have seen in recent drafts:

 

[DFWJC]

What's his 3-cone?

 

[xwalker]

What's his 3-cone?

Height: 6005
Weight: 224
40 Yrd Dash: 4.50
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25
Vertical Jump: 41 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.27
3-Cone Drill: 6.82

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

What's his 3-cone?

6.82, second fastest time posted by any back in this draft. Abdullah posted a time of 6.79. However, Abdullah is 205 lbs. Johnson is 225 lbs.

 

[xwalker]

What The Experts Are Saying:

“Johnson lacks the short-area quickness to be a consistently effective every-down running back, but he has good size, speed and hands so he can’t just be dismissed. He doesn’t run routes well enough and isn’t sudden enough to be a wide receiver, so he might have to be a third-down back with kick-return potential.” – NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein

“The most productive rusher in Northern Iowa history, Johnson’s size and skill-set lead some to believe he projects as a better H-back or move tight end at the next level.” – Dane Brugler

Read more at http://cover32.com/cowboys/2015/04/...boys-draft-david-johnson/#r3KElhwcZZoKHGR4.99

I have him as a 5th rounder strictly as a RB.

I think he could play WR. Obviously, he doesn't run routes that well because RBs are not really coached to run complicated routes.

If he lost a couple of pounds he should be able to do it. He is a terrific pass catcher.

 

[xwalker]

6.82, second fastest time posted by any back in this draft. Abdullah posted a time of 6.79. However, Abdullah is 205 lbs. Johnson is 225 lbs.

Unfortunately, neither the 3-cone or SS really give a good measure of the really short area quickness that is key to RBs. The 3-cone seems to be a really good measurement for pass rushers, but not that good for RBs.

Length seems to help with the 3-cone times. Some super quick/agile but short RBs have in the past not done nearly as well on the 3-cone as you might expect.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Unfortunately, neither the 3-cone or SS really give a good measure of the really short area quickness that is key to RBs. The 3-cone seems to be a really good measurement for pass rushers, but not that good for RBs.

Length seems to help with the 3-cone times. Some super quick/agile but short RBs have in the past not done nearly as well on the 3-cone as you might expect.

No, but it does give you a good idea of a players ability to shift weight and get back up to speed quickly, which is what a lot of the WR position is about.

 

[xwalker]

No, but it does give you a good idea of a players ability to shift weight and get back up to speed quickly, which is what a lot of the WR position is about.

Yes, which is the position I think he could play.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Yes, which is the position I think he could play.

I think people who think he is strictly a WR are missing the boat. Not saying you think this. In fact, I think believe he can play RB but just for the sake of discussion, there are a lot of very successful RBs down through the years who had a similar running style. I think he could be a really good RB if he works on some things. I don't think this is day one. However, I do think that in year 2, he could be a starter. On the other hand, he could also be a really good WR as well with those hands. I just think that the WR position is probably 3 to 4 years before he has learned enough to be a really good starter.

 

[NeonDeion21]

I have him as a 5th rounder strictly as a RB. /quote]

We aren't that far off in our evaluations. I have him in the 4th round.

 

[reddyuta]

He looked really good at the senior bowl,I would take him in the 3 rd if most of our top targets are gone.

 

[xwalker]

I think people who think he is strictly a WR are missing the boat. Not saying you think this. In fact, I think believe he can play RB but just for the sake of discussion, there are a lot of very successful RBs down through the years who had a similar running style. I think he could be a really good RB if he works on some things. I don't think this is day one. However, I do think that in year 2, he could be a starter. On the other hand, he could also be a really good WR as well with those hands. I just think that the WR position is probably 3 to 4 years before he has learned enough to be a really good starter.

A creative Offensive Coordinator could find ways to use him, IMO, even as a rookie. The Cowboys might have too many other options to use him other than strictly as a RB, but he definitely has a unique skill set.

 

[NeonDeion21]

A creative Offensive Coordinator could find ways to use him, IMO, even as a rookie. The Cowboys might have too many other options to use him other than strictly as a RB, but he definitely has a unique skill set.

My question is this: why can't he be Shane Vereen?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

A creative Offensive Coordinator could find ways to use him, IMO, even as a rookie. The Cowboys might have too many other options to use him other than strictly as a RB, but he definitely has a unique skill set.

I agree. Ernie Zampese was great at this. I think he could have a role at either position. I'm mainly looking at what his greatest impact would be the soonest.

 

[Idgit]

He also is an option in the return game, which we're in the market for.

 

[Plankton]

My favorite RB in the draft. Would love to see him in Dallas.

 

[JDSTAR]

This is my pick for RB.

 

[xwalker]

I agree. Ernie Zampese was great at this. I think he could have a role at either position. I'm mainly looking at what his greatest impact would be the soonest.

A team could really screw him up if they don't handle him the right way. If he was really going to play some WR he would need to keep his weight down. If he was really going to play H-back he would need to bulk up. Whatever a team does with him they need to decide during his rookie training camp and stick with it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

A team could really screw him up if they don't handle him the right way. If he was really going to play some WR he would need to keep his weight down. If he was really going to play H-back he would need to bulk up. Whatever a team does with him they need to decide during his rookie training camp and stick with it.

Agreed and to take that point even further, I think you actually have to have a pretty good idea of how he would fit in your Offense before you even draft him. How you develop this guy is the difference between being a guy like, say James Brooks and a guy who becomes JAG.