Raymond Jackson III
NFL Draft Overview
Pro Day Performance
40-yard Dash: 4.74 seconds
Bench Press: 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 33″
Broad Jump: 9’7″
Three-Cone Drill: 7.24 seconds
Raymond Johnson III 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Raymond Johnson III has always produced on the football field. He was Defensive Lineman of the Year three times in high school in South Carolina. Johnson was a three-star recruit and chose to go to Georgia Southern. Once again, the accolades were soon to follow.
In 2017, Johnson played in all 12 games. He started the final nine as a freshman and notched 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss on the season; being named All-Sun Belt honorable mention. Johnson followed this up by notching three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in 2018. He also had a knack for finding the football; recovering three fumbles and also blocking an extra point. Johnson was an All-Sun Belt Second-Teamer as a sophomore.
2019 was more of the same as Johnson had three sacks and seven tackles for loss. Again, he found the ball and, as a result, directly impacted the score by blocking a field goal, recording a safety, and recovering a fumble. He was named All-Sun Belt First Team for his efforts. And in 2020, he capped his collegiate career with five sacks, a whopping 14.5 tackles for loss, and a school-record 15 quarterback hurries. Johnson made the All-Sun Belt First-Team for the second consecutive year as a result of his outstanding play.
Strengths
- Leader of the defense;
- Non-stop motor and can come into his own as the game wears on as evidenced in a dominant fourth quarter against Southern Alabama in 2020;
- If he wins the first step, he wreaks havoc;
- Found lots of production while splitting lots of snaps;
- Can win with power and by using hands well to keep lineman off of him;
- Has a frame to add weight to.
Weaknesses
- Too often is stifled in one-on-ones;
- Can play too high which immediately takes him out of plays;
- Gets flushed out of plays when the play isn’t run directly at him;
- Doesn’t possess a consistent, explosive first step.
NFL Comparison: Ifeadi Odenigbo
Teams With Need at Position: Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints
Projection: 6th round to undrafted
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The Bottom Line on Raymond Johnson III
Raymond Johnson III enters the 2021 NFL draft with tons of experience and production and possesses adequate size. And although he played mostly as a defensive end in college, he might be a better fit as a pass rusher on the interior of the defensive line. Luckily, he has a frame that can take on a few more pounds.
Johnson may not have the attributes or size to be an every-down starter in the NFL. Still, teams are always looking for guys to rush the passer. And Johnson can rush from all over the line. He could become a reliable backup pass rusher who finds himself in sub-packages in passing situations. If he can find the right situation that allows him to showcase his strengths, he can get on with a team and provide value and depth.
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