30 Players in 30 Days: #19 — Jarrett Johnson

Key notes from Olin's thoughts on Johnson

• I think he's going to get a bad rap because he was Myles Garrett's backup. Everything that happened when Myles wasn’t in is going to be magnified. The first thing you will do is blame Jarrett. But, how many guys are going to be as good at Myles Garrett? I don’t think you can say Jarrett Johnson was the reason the plays were successful. He had 4.5 sacks in limited play.
  
  
• If he doubles his number of plays, could he double his number of sacks? I would take 4.5 or six sacks from him. He’s going to play more and hopefully he will get to the quarterback more. I don’t think six sacks is unreasonable. I think they will have to generate sacks with creative blitzes.
  
  
• He is going to get better, hopefully, as he plays more. I don't think anyone thinks he is going to be a walloping pass rusher. If he can be a legitimate, major college defensive end, you can come away and feel good about that. He’s shown signs he can be that.
  
  
• I feel better about Jarrett Johnson than Qualen Cunningham. Cunningham may really flourish as a linebacker, but I think Jarrett Johnson is a stronger end. He showed enough. He’s not necessarily going to be a star, but with the coaching in the offseason and his mindset that he will have a greater role, there are reasons to believe he will be a solid defensive end.
  
  
• They need him to be the guy who gets to the quarterback in a 4-3 look. With this team, I’m not sure you can’t get an inside pass rush and blitz from the inside. What you don’t want is the defensive end to be a weakness. If it’s solid or okay, you may be fine there. Your pass rush guy may be Anthony Hines. We’ve seen a guy like Daylon Mack who is quick off the ball, maybe you want him in there on a passing situation. I think you can get a push inside that will really help the defensive ends. If the corners turn up their game, maybe those coverage sacks will be there as well.
  
  
• I feel like he showed that he can be a solid, maybe even good, defensive end. He’s not going to be what A&M had before him, but if he can go out there and be a solid player, you can feel good about what you have with Jarrett Johnson.
  
  

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