Steelers Pick OT Wesley Johnson - Vanderbilt

OT Wesley Johnson Vanderbilt
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profil...son?id=2543763



Drafted By: Steelers
Round
5

Pick
33

Overall
173

Combine Results
Grade
5.31
?
5.11 SEC
26 REPS
29.0 INCH
111.0 INCH
Top Performer
7.40 SEC
Top Performer
4.64 SEC
Blue Star = Combine Top Performer
6'5"
Height
33 1/8"
Arm Length
297LBS.
Weight
10 1/4"
Hands
Overview
Nashville native who won a state championship and competed in track and field (throws) as a prep. Redshirted in 2009. Started all 12 games at left tackle in '10. Started all 13 games in '11 -- seven at center, four at LT, two at left guard. Started all 26 games at LT 2012-13, allowing just two sacks. Two-year captain.
Analysis

Strengths Quick out of his stance. Natural bender with athletic, coordinated movement. Light on his feet and can work his hips. Keeps his hands inside and can pop and recoil. Shuffles, slides and mirrors. Gets to the second level with ease and can wheel around the edge as a puller. Durable, versatile 51-game starter -- has experience playing all across the line. Highly respected, passionate, no-nonsense vocal leader.

Weaknesses Average length. Is not built for power. Needs to bulk up and get functionally stronger. Light anchor -- stressed by power rushers. Does not jolt defenders with his hands. Average explosion/pop on contact. Inconsistent connecting with moving targets and fitting on linebackers. Has had difficulty filling out his frame and maintaining weight.
Draft Projection Rounds 4-5

Bottom Line Experienced, intelligent, competitive, athletic, strength-deficient zone blocker. Has everything you want intangibly and has developmental value, but has to make significant strength gains and perfect his technique to survive against longer, more powerful NFL defensive ends. Has worked out as a center in the spring and might be most natural inside.
-Nolan Nawrocki
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The Steelers haven't forgotten about its offensive line, adding Vanderbilt OT Wesley Johnson with the second of two fifth round picks. A natural zone blocker, he has experience across the line.
It was a matter of time until the Steelers gave new offensive line coach Mike Munchak a new toy.
In the fifth round, the Steelers selected zone-inclined offensive tackle Wesley Johnson out of Vanderbilt, the kind of mid-round clay Munchak has molded throughout his coaching career in Tennessee and Houston.
Johnson is athletic - notice the commitment to that specific trait in this draft? - and is a good move blocker. He's not a mauler and will need some work in that aspect of his game if he wants to earn a starting spot down the line.
At the same time, perhaps that's exactly what the Steelers are hoping for. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert's contract is up after the 2014 season, and Kelvin Beachum and Mike Adams are set to be free agents after the 2015 season. After that, the Steelers have basically no depth, and addressing the tackle position isn't a surprise.
Johnson fits the general lack of outstanding traits in terms of strength the Steelers seem to covet. He's light on his feet and can cover ground in the run game, but he's got some strength to add if he wants to be able to win one-on-one match-ups in the NFL.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...kle-vanderbilt