The 2027 NFL Draft feels like forever away, and we’re all caught up in the start of the NFL season. Regardless, it’s never too early to look ahead to the Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2027 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Minnesota Golden Gophers interior offensive lineman Greg Johnson.
Bio
Johnson (6’6”,
325 lbs.) has been a jack-of-all-trades lineman for the Gophers since arriving on campus. He started at left guard as a true freshman before becoming the starting center during his sophomore campaign. He moved back to guard last season and even played some snaps at both tackle spots when needed. Johnson was slated to stick at guard this season, but injuries have forced him back to the center spot. His versatility and effectiveness across the line earned him an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten nod last year.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Johnson has elite size for an interior lineman. He’s tall and long, giving him a rather sizable reach advantage against most opponents. He’s an incredibly smart player, able to fill in admirably at all five positions on the offensive line and his tape inside and outside are both impressive. According to PFF, Johnson has allowed only one pressure this season in 202 opportunities, earning a quality 80.3 overall grade so far. Johnson’s durability is also a major positive as he has yet to miss any time in college due to injury. This is especially impressive given how often his cohorts on Minnesota’s line have succumb to various ailments.
Johnson’s size, weight, and strength should profile much better than they do in the run game. He has a good run blocking grade from PFF this year (81.1), which shows some improvement in one of the areas of concern. Continuing to show this improvement will be a major boon to his draft stock. Another potential issue is his lack of a home on the offensive line making him a master-of-none type of player.
Projection
Greg Johnson is an incredibly versatile and effective lineman that every NFL team covets at least as a depth piece. His improvement in the run game has helped elevate him as high as the middle of the first round on most mock drafts, consistently being taken on day one of the Draft. He could immediately slot in anywhere on the interior and/or be a swing tackle off the bench. For a team like the Panthers, the fit makes sense. Robert Hunt could be a cap casualty, and current do-it-all lineman Brady Christensen can’t stay healthy. Unless they want more Toricelli Simpkins III tape, the Panthers might invest a high pick on someone like Johnson. Johnson could even slot in as the starting center if Sam Hecht doesn’t take firm control of the position as the season moves on. As Taylor Moton and Damien Lewis begin to age out of the league, Johnson will be hitting his prime and could take the mantle as leader of the offensive line.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Greg Johnson is available when the Panthers select in the 2027 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
