2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Auburn vs. Texas A&M
Texas A&M DE/OLB Tyree Johnson
Not many people are talking about Tyree Johnson, but that might be changing soon. The Texas A&M edge rusher elected to come back for his senior season, and so far, that’s been looking like a wise move. Tyree Johnson is tied for third in the SEC in sacks with six, and he’s recorded five of those in his last three games, including a pair in Texas A&M’s upset win over Alabama.
The 6’4” 240-pound Washington, D.C., native is a long athlete with numerous physical tools who frequently lines up outside the tackle in a two-point stance. He likes to use the speed rush to try to get around the outside shoulder of the tackle.
Tyree Johnson has long arms which can help him bat down passes if he can’t get home and allow him to use his reach advantage to engage blockers. Johnson’s long arms expand his tackling radius. They also provide him with a way to affect the quarterback by stripping the ball or hitting his arm, even if he can’t get all the way there.
The Texas A&M coaching staff hasn’t asked Johnson to cover much, but his, speed, length, and agility would make him well-suited to covering the occasional back in the flat in order to mix up blitzing looks. Johnson seems like the type of player who would benefit from having another star pass rusher on the other side so that he can work against single coverage, and not get chipped or double-teamed most of the game.
Tyree Johnson would be a more complete player if he could add some functional strength. This would allow him to vary his pass rushing moves a bit more, as he hasn’t had a lot of success with bull rush or rip moves, because he’s consistently outweighed by most tackles trying to block him. He could be a nice, low risk upside pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for a team looking to complement an already elite pass rusher.