Patriots DL: A Healthy Antonio Johnson Can Really Help Depth Inside
 Antonio Johnson has been a solid player on the inside of the defensive line for the Colts and Titans and if healthy can give the Patriots increased depth inside for 2015.(USA Today Image) |
With the losses of key members of the defense that took them to a Super Bowl victory in 2014, the Patriots have some holes to fill. Besides trying to replace both Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner at cornerback, they are trying to find a replacement for the big man in the middle now that Vince Wilfork is a member of the Houston Texans.
The Pats are looking to increase the pass rush from the front seven, while still having some big bodies inside that can stuff the run. It is especially important to have those stout big guys given the injury situation of their MLBs in Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo.
The team already made two moves in shoring the middle by bringing back both Sealver Siliga and Alan Branch. 2nd year DL Dominique Easley, last season’s top draft pick is more of an undersized penetrator and disruptor inside. He and Chris Jones are better pass rushers. The team is supposedly looking at the NFL Draft for another big man in the middle and has been linked to many prospects. But Antonio Johnson may play a big role in the team building process and provide solid depth at the interior DL.
Johnson was signed kind of under-the-radar signing in December when they inked him to a futures contract in the midst of the Super Bowl run along with RB Dion Lewis and DE/OLB Rufus Johnson.
Antonio Johnson is a big man 6’3, 328 who can play the nose in a 3-4 or DT in a 4-3 defense. The 30-year old was originally a fifth round draft choice of the Titans in the 2007 NFL Draft. He has played in 83 NFL games with 52 starts mainly for the Colts.
The Colts in 2008 plucked him off of the Titans practice squad; he spent five years with the Colts before going back to the Titans for the 2013 season. He had his best season for the Titans two seasons ago while playing in all 16 games totaling 35 tackles (22 solo), with 3 sacks.
Johnson suffered a knee injury during training camp in 2014 with Tennessee and had arthroscopic surgery. He was given an injury settlement and became a free agent before the Patriots signed him on December 31.
With the Patriots, Johnson projects to be a candidate for that nose tackle position that can eat up those double team blocks inside, stay strong at the point of attack and allow those other defensive linemen and linebackers to make the plays.
He isn’t a flashy player, nose tackles rarely are, however if he’s healthy this season he should be a nice addition to the rotation inside. He’s been a solid player for both the Colts and Titans and will be a big body to stuff the run and occasionally get some pressure on the QB.
While the Patriots will look for towards the future in going for youth in the NFL Draft, sometimes it is those depth-type guys who can play key roles during the course of a NFL season. Johnson would certainly help there and may be a nice addition to the 2015 version of this defense. He’ll be a guy to watch this spring as he works his way back from last season’s injury.
Here is a video of Johnson working out and doing an interview with a local Mississippi television station prior to the 2014 season.
Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at [email protected]
Listen to our Patriots 4th and 2 podcast on blog talk radio as the writers Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and I from PatsFans.com discuss the latest Patriots news Wednesdays at 12 noon.
