The Indianapolis Colts have selected Missouri State DT Eric Johnson with the 159th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Welcome to Indy, Eric! #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/i83OlCTZFP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 30, 2022
The Colts lost six defensive linemen following the 2021 season and prior to the draft had only added Yannick Ngakoue. Depth was sorely needed and Johnson brings a high level of athleticism with him from Missouri State.
Eric Johnson II was drafted with pick 159 of round 5 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.16 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 123 out of 1459 DT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/de2dJlN1US #RAS #Colts pic.twitter.com/wSjADpLZ8P
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022
Eric Johnson II, DT Missouri State- 9.15 RAS. At 6’4” with 34” arms, Chris Ballard has already raised an eyebrow. Throw in the elite speed and explosion times and you have his attention. Coming from a division two school Johnson will need plenty of time to develop, adding strength (only 11 reps of 225, yikes) and working on his technique but he has the kind of raw tools that you just can’t teach.
The Colts aren’t finished making moves with two picks in the sixth and another in the seventh, there will be plenty more to come.
Here’s a clip of the new DT in town:
Here’s #Colts DT Eric Johnson with a pancake and sack pic.twitter.com/r8qsYr2Khu
— Indy Source (@SourceIndiana) April 30, 2022
And a Baldy breakdown:
Missouri State Football is producing “Creatures” ; like @TheCreature93 who just keeps working; hustling; and making a name for himself. Excited to hear his name called in this #nfldraft weekend #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/jJXN0o0Ag2
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 28, 2022