This 2022 NFL draft prospect could improve Chicago Bears OL immediately

Should the Chicago Bears draft Zion Johnson?

Zion Johnson was underrecruited coming out of high school and found himself at Davidson. However, he hit the ground running and was a two-time All-Conference performer before transferring up to Boston College. Zion Johnson quickly earned his stripes at BC as well, being named a captain and starter during his first season. He wound up starting in 29 games, which earned him an invite to the Senior Bowl and NFL combine. With an impressive offseason so far, is he in consideration for the Chicago Bears, or will he be a first-round lock?

Zion Johnson measurements and statistics

Using relative athletic scores, we can see how Zion Johnson’s size and athleticism compare to past guard prospects. His height is a bit low, but the rest of his profile shows that he is an NFL athlete. He is in the top 95% of guard prospects to test at the NFL combine. His agility scores were excellent, which goes a long way for linemen because these drills make you sink your hips and change direction. It can show how well lineman carry their weight.

29 games starter (17 at LG, 12 at LT) 

Per PFF: 3 sacks. 9 hits, 22 hurries allowed. 63% zone run blocking 

Zion Johnson’s strength that will translate to the NFL

Zion Johnson worked from a small school player to Boston College and into the NFL and you can tell that his workmanship is what got him there. He is an expert at his craft and puts in the time to make sure that his movement and rhythm are perfect.

It is tough to technically knock Johnson off of his game, and his work can be clean and precise at times. He strikes with a vicious punch and has great power in his upper body.

Still, his lower body is where Johnson wins in a variety of areas. When he plants his feet to anchor, it is tough to knock him off with such a strong base. He also has quick feet, that often play into his well-timed movements.

Johnson has the ability to pull, get into the second level, and seal blocks with strong lower body flexibility. Johnson has five years of starting tape and still has upside to be untapped as shown in his strong combine performance.

Weaknesses in the game of Zion Johnson

Zion Johnson is not necessarily an old prospect, but at age 22, he will be older than most of the others in this class. James Daniels was young for his draft class, but still, it is worth noting that the difference is age is closer to two years than three between them, despite Daniels being in the NFL for four seasons, entering year five.

He dominated at Davidson because he was flat out better than everyone, and while he did well at Boston College, he was older than most thanks to transferring.

On the field, his technical skills are advanced but can be improved. His biggest questions come against picking up blitzing and recognizing speed rushers who use counters. He can be late to pick up the blitz, then overset and get beat inside. He is athletic, but may not ever a Quenton Nelson level of dominator, so the question with him becomes more about when do you value a guard who should be a reliable starter, but not necessarily a year-in, year-out All-Pro player?

Who is an NFL comparison for Zion Johnson?