DJ Johnson
Career Summary
DJ Johnson is an edge defender from Sacramento, California. After beginning at Miami, he completed his college career at Oregon and was selected by Carolina in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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High School
Johnson attended Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento. A consensus four-star prospect and Under Armour All-American, he recorded 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss as a senior.
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College Career
Johnson played 42 college games between Miami and Oregon. At Oregon, he moved between defense and tight end before returning to defense full time in 2022. That senior season, he led the Ducks with six sacks, ranked second with 8.5 tackles for loss and added 39 tackles. His six-year college career concluded with 67 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
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Path to the NFL
Carolina selected Johnson in the third round, 80th overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft after trading up 13 spots to make the pick. He was the first defensive player selected by the Panthers that year.
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NFL Career
Johnson played 31 regular-season games for Carolina from 2023 through 2025, totaling 57 tackles, half a sack, two passes defended and a fumble recovery. He made three starts as a rookie and played 14 games in 2024, when he recorded 41 tackles and his first half-sack.
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Career Accomplishments
Johnson earned Pac-12 coaches honorable mention and Phil Steele fourth-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after two sacks at California and was a third-round NFL Draft pick.
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Playing Style
Johnson's path reflects uncommon positional versatility: he played edge defender and tight end at Oregon, contributed in all three phases in 2021 and then focused on pass rushing in 2022. His size and athleticism supported that transition, with his senior production centered on sacks and tackles for loss.
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Sources for this section
31715, 00-0038535, 1998-10-29, DJ Johnson, D.J., Johnson
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 34.8
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.