Being as new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Wesley Johnson measures in at just over 6’5″ and weighs 297 pounds, he’s not likely going to see many starts at the NFL level at the left tackle position, a position he started 39 games while at Vanderbilt.
Johnson’s position flexibility, however, should allow him to play any other position on the Steelers offensive line.
“The first thing you’ll hear about him is he’s very versatile,” said new offensive line coach Mike Munchak of Johnson. “He’s a guy that’s made over 50 starts in the SEC at all three positions. So he’s a guy that we feel that can come in and play center, guard or tackle depending on where we need him.”
Munchak, however, wouldn’t tip his hand as to where Johnson will initially line up moving forward.
“I think that’s something we’ll see when we bring him in here,” he said.
When you look at all of the offensive linemen that the Steelers currently have on their roster, seven spots on the final 53 appear to already be spoken for baring any injuries. Being as the team will probably only keep a total of nine on the final 53, it looks like Johnson will have to beat out veteran Guy Whimper, who can also play every position on the offensive line except for center in a pinch.
On tape and at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson showed great athleticism and the ability to move out in space. While Whimper was once that athletic when he came into the league back in 2006, his best days are behind him now and thus is prime to be beat out in training camp.
While he only started two games at left guard during his college career, you have to wonder if that’s the position Johnson might get a long look at over the summer in addition to some work at right tackle.
Johnson started all fifty-one games he played in at Vanderbilt and his 51 starting assignments established a school career-record. He registered 252 key blocks/knockdowns during his career and was credited with 50 touchdown-resulting blocks.
