DRAFT TRACKER 2021

Projects as a rugged stand-up rush linebacker who plays the game with his mad face on. Johnson possesses the compact frame, play strength and hand usage to set strong edges and hold his own when the running game rolls downhill at him. He lacks desired length and explosiveness as a rusher, but varies his angles and targets the blocker's edge to help make up for those deficiencies. While he definitely smells blood once he's in the pocket, he's more likely a hard-hat rusher than a highly productive sack master on the next level. He should come into the league as a solid backup at 3-4 outside linebacker with the potential to become a rotational defender or eventual starter down the line.

Sample is a short-stepper with hip tightness and wasn't able to convert enough pressures into sacks while playing outside. However, his skilled rush attacks and short-area footwork could give him advantages on the interior, where he can take more of a straight-line approach to the quarterback. He has quick hands and good upper-body strength, but it's not a lock he'll get used to battling NFL wide-bodies inside, despite his physical nature and toughness. Sample should become a solid, scheme-diverse defender with the ability to play strong-side end on early downs and reduce inside as a rusher. There could be teams who see him as a smaller three-technique if he can carry the weight.