Buddy Johnson NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Pittsburgh Steelers LB

HEIGHT: 6'0 1/2"

WEIGHT: 229

POSITIVES

—Played a lot of high-level football.

—Very good athlete on paper, which may signal untapped potential.

—A very consistent tackler who clubs up through ball-carriers instead of taking the blow of the collision.

—Has the upside to be a special teams contributor.

NEGATIVES

—He plays a little light for a traditional linebacker prospect.

—Play strength is an issue in the SEC and will likely translate in the NFL.

—Maxed-out frame?

—Coverage skills, which are an increasingly important factor in the NFL, are poor.

2020 STATISTICS

85 TKL, 7.5 TFL, 4 SK, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 2 FF, 1 TD

NOTES

—Was looked at by some schools as a quarterback prospect as a prep.

—Team captain in 2020.

—Started 32 games during his career at Texas A&M.

OVERALL

Buddy Johnson essentially started three full seasons for Texas A&M in the SEC and is a very consistent player, but the holes in his game could lead to him playing primarily a special teams role early on in his NFL career.

His coverage skills and play strength are not great, limiting his situational football roles. With that being said, his measured athleticism is better than what flashes on tape, which could mean there is more to unearth in his game. If he can play coverage better, he has the potential to develop into a starting-caliber linebacker.

GRADE: 6.7/10 (Round 6)

OVERALL RANK: 224/300

POSITION RANK: LB20

PRO COMPARISON: Perry Riley

Written by B/R NFL Scout Justis Mosqueda