Cedric Johnson NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Ole Miss EDGE

BR NFL Scouting DepartmentContributor IFebruary 23, 2024

Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

HEIGHT: 6’2⅞”

WEIGHT: 260

HAND: 9½”

ARM: 33″

WINGSPAN: 79½”

40-YARD DASH:

3-CONE:

SHUTTLE:

VERTICAL:

BROAD:

POSITIVES

— Good frame and a thick build to go along with good movement skills.

— Has the speed to win around the edge as a pass-rusher.

— Sets up pass-rush move well by stemming to get to square and giving himself a two-way go.

— Decent at turning speed to power with his change of direction and acceleration skills.

— Effective as the looper on line games with his agility, quickness and closing speed.

NEGATIVES

— Not that physical at the point of attack when taking on blocks against the run. Lacks sand in his pants to hold his ground.

— Struggles to get extension on blocks versus offensive linemen.

— Poor use of hands as a pass-rusher. Hands are often down by his waist, and tackles can get to his body with their punch.

— Below-average bend. Hips are a little stiff.

2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 40 TOT, 5.5 SK, 6.5 TFL, 3 PD, 1 FF

NOTES

— Born Sept. 6, 2002

— 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2022 (Right Shoulder, played through it)

OVERALL

Cedric Johnson is an athletic standup outside linebacker who has potential as a pass-rusher in the NFL. He’s twitchy and moves well, especially at 260 pounds, to develop a few finesse moves that he can win with. He’s also impressive as the looper in line games, with the quickness and agility to test a guard’s change-of-direction skills and win across their face.

However, Johnson does need to learn how to use his hands. He gets caught with them down by his waist far too often, allowing offensive tackles to make the first significant contact. That’s currently limiting his pass-rush arsenal, as he doesn’t have a go-to move he can win with at the moment. He’s also not very bendy at the top of the rush.

Against the run, the former Rebel lacks the functional or play strength to hold his ground versus offensive linemen. He’s already at a decent weight and doesn’t have much room for growth on his frame, which makes that even more concerning. As a result, he may end up being just a situational rusher in the NFL.

Overall, Johnson has enough traits and potential as a pass-rusher to warrant a Day 3 selection, but the team that drafts him shouldn’t expect him to contribute on early downs.

GRADE: 6.0 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 152

POSITION RANK: EDGE17

PRO COMPARISON: Julian Okwara