Broncos Player Profile: Zack Johnson #68 | Interior Offensive Line
The Denver Broncos are looking for solutions to their offensive line for the 2022 season and beyond. In the case of Zack Johnson, he seems unlikely to make the roster this year.
But Johnson does have a chance to make Denver's practice squad and buy himself more time for the 2023 season? Let's examine his resume.
Biography
Johnson turned 25 years old in January and hails from Blaine, Minnesota.
College Career
Johnson attended North Dakota State for college football, which has put out some quality prospects over the past few years. However, while he joined in 2015, he didn't see the field on offense until the 2017 season, when he played only 55 snaps.
The 2018 season saw Johnson be the starter at right tackle, playing all 878 snaps on offense there. He played pretty well, allowing only 15 total pressures and two sacks. His run blocking was also solid, but he was then was moved inside to right guard for his final season.
Starting at right guard in 2019, Johnson played all but two snaps there. He had another solid season in pass protection, allowing 15 total pressures again but only one sack. However, his play dropped as his Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade plummeted from 66.0 in 2018 to 56.4 in 2019.
Draft
Johnson didn't hear his name called in the NFL draft but signed with the Green Bay Packer. He spent part of 2021 in Green Bay before signing to the Broncos practice squad in November 2021, which was followed by a futures contract in January 2022. He has yet to play a regular-season snap.
2022 Outlook
While there is a chance for Johnson to make the practice squad, it seems unlikely because has already been waived by the Broncos once this summer (after the draft), only to be re-signed after the team waived a college free agent it had initially signed.
Being that 90th/91st guy isn't a good omen for making the roster or the practice squad. There were other offensive linemen the Broncos valued more, so the pressure is on Johnson to change that during training camp and preseason.
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