Greg Johnson is a senior offensive lineman at Minnesota. He is the Golden Gophers’ starting left guard but has experience at every position along the offensive line.
Johnson is a Prior Lake, Minnesota, native who attended Prior Lake High School. He is listed at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds.
He has a unique but effective technique in pass protection, and his overall size and profile make him a very intriguing candidate for the NFL. He's played full seasons at left guard and center, but started and finished games at both tackle positions as well.
While his size and versatility have many experts projecting Johnson as a first-round talent, the tape leaves some questions. But there are some things he can show that could change that.
Greg Johnson's NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Left Guard
- School: Minnesota
- Height: 6'6
- Weight: 325 LBS
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Prior Lake, Minnesota
Greg Johnson's Career Stats
- Games Played: 39*
- Positions Played: Left Guard, Center, Left Tackle, Right Tackle, Right Guard
- Awards: 2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
- Accomplishments: 2026 Outland Watch List
*statistics do not include 2026 stats and will be updated
What are Greg Johnson's biggest strengths?
- Johnson's length matches his 6'6 frame, and he's plenty strong. The size and strength give his quarterback a clean pocket to work with, and it gives him some push in the run game.
- Johnson isn't slow, but he's never in a rush. His movements are always methodical and under control.
- Johnson creates leverage in a unique way, which you have to find a way to do at that height. He doesn't lean forward or play low. Instead, he kicks his legs behind him so he plays at an angle while balanced. It's hard for defenders to move him.
- This also helps him create running lanes as he can grab and turn defenders one way or another.
- Decent athlete. Moves his feet well enough to stay balanced in pass protection, as well as to pull and get to the second level in the run game.
- While I wouldn't try to convert him to tackle or center, he has the experience and ability to spot start, or get his team out of a game at one of those positions if necessary.
Where can Greg Johnson improve?
- While his technique in pass protection is unique and effective, he'll want to be able to mix it up in the pros with varied hand usage.
- Does not generate a lot of push in the run game.
- Better blocking downfield in terms of accurately meeting a defender and engaging a block out in space.
NFL Draft Projection
With Johnson's positional value and versatility, I'd expect him to go no later than the second round of the draft. With the value of interior linemen going up in the NFL and the alluring trait of positional flexibility, I would not be surprised if a team took a swing on him at the end of the first round. But with the talent throughout the draft at other positions as well as the line, I expect he gets pushed out of round one.
NFL Pro Comparison
My comp for Johnson is David Edwards. It's not even the Midwest upbringing and college experience for both players, but that shouldn't be ignored either.
Both players are tall, powerful guards who use their size and strength to anchor in pass protection and keep the pocket clean for their quarterback. While neither is a true “road grader” in the run game, both are effective at creating running lanes and have the movement skills to pull and block in space.
Edwards has never been named a Pro Bowler or All-Pro, but he's been a multi-year starter, was the starting left guard for the 2021 Rams Super Bowl team, and just got a big pay day from the New Orleans Saints.
Final Evaluation
Overall Grade: 77/100
Draft Projection: Second-round pick
My draft grades usually go first round, top-50, top-100, then into Day 3. But a 77 grade is right at the top of that "top-100" category, essentially saying Johnson should be a second-round pick.
I'm not seeing the same high-level play as others to call Johnson a first-round pick, but as a versatile offensive lineman, I see the path for him to get there.
While it won’t stop him from becoming a good player, I see some athletic limitations that could lower Johnson’s ceiling. His unique technique in pass protection is also something I’ll be watching to see how well it translates to the NFL.
Still, a big, strong offensive lineman who can keep the pocket clean and contribute in the run game is too valuable to let slip past pick No. 64.
But if Johnson can become more of a weapon in the run game or show more tools in his pass protection toolbox, I’d be willing to move him up my rankings.
Add us as a preferred source on Google