The Chicago Bears selected Texas running back Roschon Johnson with the 115th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Here’s a quick rundown on Johnson:
Height: 6-0
Weight: 219
Age: 22
From: Port Arthur, TX
Breakdown: Bijan Robinson overshadowed Johnson at Texas, who has a high ceiling. But Johnson is a do-it-all player who could become a starter. Johnson is a great fit for the Bears running back committee. He’s a powerful runner who will complement Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. Johnson can also be relied on in pass protection, something Herbert and Foreman struggle with. — Nate Atkins
Dane Brugler’s scouting report: “Primarily a backup at Texas, Johnson was a complimentary back in head coach Steve Sarkisian’s spread RPO offense. A high school quarterback, he moved to running back as a Longhorns freshman and played second fiddle to Bijan Robinson but embraced his role in the program and was a central part of the culture shift under the new coaching staff (Sarkisian: “What this guy brings every single day is pretty incredible. He’s so mature. Unbelievable work ethic. Awesome teammate…he’s got the utmost respect of everybody in our building, that is for sure.”). A stout, good-sized runner, Johnson is a two-way creator with his lateral cuts to elude tacklers and the forward momentum to power through contact. With his football character and ability on special teams and as a blocker, his impact without the football is almost as impressive as his ability with the ball. Overall, Johnson is high-cut and can be inconsistent with his run rhythm, but he is a quick-footed, physical ball carrier with valuable third-down skills as a pass-catcher and blocker. He should immediately upgrade an NFL team’s running back rotation and be a core special teamer.”
Lance Zierlein’s scouting report: “Power back with bruising frame who fits the football cliche of “tough, smart and dependable.” Johnson isn’t overly creative and lacks the juice to hit quick-closing NFL holes. He needs it blocked up so he can get downhill and uncork his power on the second level. While his lack of suddenness makes him somewhat limited as a runner, he will be better at stuffing blitzers than many of the No. 3 backs currently in the league. Johnson might be fighting off competition every year in camp, but his toughness and four-phase special teams value could give him an advantage.”
They said it: “This was a guy I was shocked that he was still on the board. He is a really good football player that I know is going to be successful in this league in many different ways. And on top of that, probably you could understand from talking to him over that Zoom call, he’s an unbelievable human being as well who is going to enhance our culture, enhance our locker room and continue to meet the standards that we’ve put in place.” — Bears GM Ryan Poles
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