Jaleel Johnson
Jaleel Johnson, ranked as one of ESPN’s top-10 defensive tackles in the NFL Draft, will have the biggest impact in his new NFL home.
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the second pick in the fourth round, the 6-3, 316-pound Johnson helps to fill arguably the biggest void on his team.
Minnesota ranked 20th in rushing yards allowed per game (106.9). That total ranks as the third-worst in the NFC North, only ahead of Chicago’s 121.9 per game. Also, the Vikings finished last season with a pedestrian 4.2 yards per rush, 16th in the league.
Johnson anchored an Iowa rushing defense that ranked in the top 50 in the country for average yards per game, yards per attempt, and total yards.
Iowa only allowed 10 rushing touchdowns, 11th-best in the nation.
Johnson’s 2016-17 senior campaign featured 10 tackles for a loss, including 7.5 sacks, Iowa’s biggest presence on the defensive line.
ESPN’s Steve Muench tabbed Johnson as, “one of the most explosive interior pass-rushers in this 2017 class,” giving Minnesota yet another weapon for getting to the quarterback (last season the Vikings racked up the fifth-most sacks in the league with 41).
Johnson’s hustle combined with explosiveness (just look up his safety against Michigan if you have any doubts) sets him apart from other Minnesota rookies. His play style earned him deserving recognition — he was voted first-team All-Big Ten by coaches and second-team All-Big Ten by the media.
If you need a comparison with a current NFL player, look to former Hawkeye and current Green Bay Packer Mike Daniels, who possesses that same explosive and relentless nature on the line.
Expect Johnson to have just as big of an impact.
Even if he doesn’t start, he’ll get his fair share of playing time, especially in pass-rush and short-yardage situations, and it’s safe to say opposing offenses will feel his presence.
— Adam Hensley
Desmond King
Iowa football players have a good thing going for them when they enter the draft. A number of NFL coaches have admitted that they look at Iowa players as already having a season under their belts when entering the draft. That is because Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz runs such a professional program, and the styles and schemes he coaches are so much like those in the NFL.
A lot of Iowa players turn into plug-and-play starters in the NFL. It happens all the time with offensive linemen — Brandon Scherff, Riley Reiff, and Bryan Bulaga just to name a few first rounders.
It used to be the same way with defensive backs from Iowa. It seemed like each year, there was a corner or safety going into the draft who would help a team right away. There was Bob Sanders, then Charles Godfrey, Bradley Fletcher, Amari Spievey, and Tyler Sash.
Add another name to that list. Desmond King is the next in a long line of Iowa defensive backs that will make an immediate impact in the NFL.
I don’t care that King was drafted in the fifth round and 20-whatever other cornerbacks were picked ahead of him. When I watch King play, I see a guy who is continually making plays — up at the line of scrimmage, in coverage, and on special teams.
His technique — and yes, his speed — are good enough to keep him at cornerback, but his ability up at the line of scrimmage and his willingness to tackle could make him a good safety as well.
In today’s NFL, there are often times five defensive backs on the field at once to match up against offenses that want to throw the ball more and more.
Looking at the Los Angeles Charger’s roster, there aren’t five defensive backs who are better than King.
He will get his snaps, and he will make his plays. That’s what he does.
— Blake Dowson