NFL Draft Results: Eagles select Patrick Johnson at pick No. 234

With the 234th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select ... Patrick Johnson, linebacker, Tulane! [Note: The broadcast listed him at defensive end but the Eagles are officially dubbing him a linebacker.]

The Eagles’ final pick this year would be undersized for a 4-3 defensive end at just 6’2”, 240 pounds. He was projected as a 3-4 outside linebacker but it appears the Eagles envision a 4-3 linebacker role for him.

Johnson joins fellow late Day 3 Eagles pick JaCoby Stevens as players set to switch positions in the NFL. It seems like Jonathan Gannon might have some creative ideas for using these players.

Here’s a scouting report via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Projects as a rugged stand-up rush linebacker who plays the game with his mad face on. Johnson possesses the compact frame, play strength and hand usage to set strong edges and hold his own when the running game rolls downhill at him. He lacks desired length and explosiveness as a rusher, but varies his angles and targets the blocker’s edge to help make up for those deficiencies. While he definitely smells blood once he’s in the pocket, he’s more likely a hard-hat rusher than a highly productive sack master on the next level. He should come into the league as a solid backup at 3-4 outside linebacker with the potential to become a rotational defender or eventual starter down the line.

College stats via Sports Reference:

Spider graph via Mockdraftable:

Highlights:

Grade the pick

Remaining Eagles draft picks

1 (10) - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

2 (37) - Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama

3 (73) - Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech

4 (123) - Zech McPhearson, CB, Texas Tech

5 (150) - Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis

6 (189) - Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC

6 (191) - Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina

6 (224) - JaCoby Stevens, LB, LSU

7 (234) - Patrick Johnson, LB, Tulane

Remaining Eagles needs

Cornerback

Linebacker

Safety

Offensive tackle

Defensive end

Wide receiver