2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Dillon Johnson, RB Washington
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Dillon Johnson, a Running Back from Greensville, MS who attended Greensville High School. Johnson was a 3-star recruit and eventually walked on to Mississippi State.
Johnson began his collegiate career at Mississippi State, where he appeared in 11 games as a freshman for Mississippi State. He recorded only 225 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns but chipped in with 36 receptions for 157 yards in the receiving game.
His sophomore season of 2021 saw him double the majority of his freshman stats in his 13 appearances. His rushing total rose to 485 yards and 4 touchdowns while his reception total skyrocketed to 65 for 422 yards and 1 touchdown.
He produced a similar level in his 2022 junior season. In 11 appearances he rushed for 488 yards and 3 touchdowns. He added in 48 receptions for 285 yards. After the 2022 season, he transferred to Washington where he exploded for a career rushing year. He rushed for 1,195 yards and a whopping 16 touchdowns. His receiving totals in his senior year were the worst of his career, but it was largely due to his heavy usage in the run game.
Measurables
Height: 6’0″ (76th-percentile)
Weight: 218 lbs (64th-percentile)
Age: 21.8
Class: Junior
NCAA Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2020 | Mississippi State | SEC | FR | RB | 11 | 51 | 225 | 4.4 | 4 | 36 | 157 | 4.4 | 0 | 87 | 382 | 4.4 | 4 |
| *2021 | Mississippi State | SEC | SO | RB | 13 | 89 | 485 | 5.4 | 4 | 65 | 422 | 6.5 | 1 | 154 | 907 | 5.9 | 5 |
| *2022 | Mississippi State | SEC | JR | 11 | 89 | 488 | 5.5 | 3 | 48 | 285 | 5.9 | 0 | 137 | 773 | 5.6 | 3 | |
| *2023 | Washington | Pac-12 | JR | RB | 14 | 233 | 1195 | 5.1 | 16 | 24 | 190 | 7.9 | 0 | 257 | 1385 | 5.4 | 16 |
| Career | Overall | 462 | 2393 | 5.2 | 27 | 173 | 1054 | 6.1 | 1 | 635 | 3447 | 5.4 | 28 | ||||
| Mississippi State | 229 | 1198 | 5.2 | 11 | 149 | 864 | 5.8 | 1 | 378 | 2062 | 5.5 | 12 | |||||
| Washington | 233 | 1195 | 5.1 | 16 | 24 | 190 | 7.9 | 0 | 257 | 1385 | 5.4 | 16 | |||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Possesses incredible size and strength for a running back.
- Is extremely versatile and is above average as both a runner and a receiver.
- Has an excellent ability to break tackles and fight through multiple defenders and crowded lines.
- Is an excellent route runner for a running back and his skillset should transition well to the next level.
Weaknesses
- He struggles with pass protection and will be a liability in blocking.
- He is not elite in space and lacks the elusiveness to be a lethal home run hitter.
- He often misjudges his blocks and hits the wrong hole. His vision is a major concern.
- Lacks any high-level elusiveness or explosiveness. Is an early down hammer.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Round 6
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
For as long as Austin Ekeler has been a Charger he has always operated more as a finesse/pass-catching back and not as much as a between-the-tackles- runner.
Adding Johnson to spell the again Ekeler would allow Johnson to be the early downs grinder and would allow the Chargers to take the wear and tear off their aging superstar. This could help him to prolong what is left of his career.
The combination of Johnson and Ekeler could be an excellent 1-2 punch.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Dillon Johnson below.
