Where could Missouri State defensive lineman Eric Johnson go in the NFL Draft?
Missouri State defensive lineman Eric Johnson is destined to be the first Bear to be selected during the NFL Draft in more than a decade.
Standout seasons during the 2021 spring and fall along with collegiate all-star games should see Johnson being the first player to be taken out of the program since offensive lineman David Arkin was selected in the fourth round with the 110th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2011.
Most mock drafts and big boards include Johnson as one of the top defensive linemen. Most assume he'll be taken in one of the first few rounds of the third day.
The Athletic called Johnson the highest-graded non-combine prospect in this year's draft. He's the 13th-ranked defensive linemen according to the website and has a fifth-round grade.
"Overall, Johnson needs to develop more consistent pad level and run recognition for the next level, but he flashes phonebooth explosiveness, functional hand use and play range," The Athletic wrote. "He should appeal to multiple schemes and is ideally suited as a five-technique or quick-penetrating three-technique."
The Athletic teases there aren't many three-technique defensive linemen in the draft but Johnson is one of them — increasing the likelihood of him being selected.
At Johnson's pro day, he ran a 4.86 in the 40-yard dash while weighing in at 299 pounds. Johnson has worked out with the Saints, Lions, Chargers, Colts, Packers, Bengals and Bears during the predraft process.
Using Scouts Inc.'s 2022 draft rankings, ESPN has Johnson as the 154th overall player in the draft while praising his ability against the run and toughness and motor. That's good enough to be the 11th-best defensive tackle.
ESPN senior writer Jeff Legwold recently wrote that Johnson was the "no-combine outlier." Legwold also wrote about Johnson's performances at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl where his name caught a lot of attention. He wrote how he's impressed with Johnson's durability after playing 48 career games including starts in the final 42 games of his college career.
More: What we learned from Missouri State football's final scrimmage of the 2022 spring
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has Johnson as his 157th overall prospect and 13th ranked defensive tackle. His seven-round mock draft posted Tuesday has Johnson going 132nd overall to Green Bay.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projects Johnson as a sixth-round pick while noting his build, strength and length to play multiple positions along the line.
Seventeen players have been drafted out of Missouri State in the program's history. The highest-drafted player out of MSU was offensive guard Tom Mullen in 1974 when he was selected with the 28th pick during the second round.
More: What Kansas State transfer RB Jacardia Wright brings to Missouri State football's offense
Dylan Cole is the only active former Missouri State player on an NFL roster. Cole recently signed a one-year deal to remain a Tennessee Titan.
Current Missouri State head coach Bobby Petrino has developed 34 NFL Draft selections during his career. Johnson should be the 35th.
Notable mock drafts
ESPN.com's Matt Miller — Fourth round, 132nd overall to Green Bay
NFL.com's Chad Reuter — Fourth round, 154th overall to Philadelphia
ESPN's Jordan Reid — Fourth round, 136th overall to Cincinnati
CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson — Fifth round, 179th overall to Indianapolis
The Athletic's Dane Brugler — Fifth round, 171st overall to Green Bay
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Where Missouri State football's Eric Johnson could go in the NFL Draft
