Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Rufus Johnson
The Patriots open 2016 in 59 days, so we’re profiling the owner of the No. 59 jersey, linebacker Rufus Johnson.
Size: 6-foot-5, 272 pounds
College: Tarleton State
2015 stats: One tackle (one game)
When the New Orleans Saints selected Johnson in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he became just the fourth player to be drafted out of Tarleton State in league history. However, Johnson spent the entirety of the 2013 season on the Saints’ practice squad and then was cut at the end of training camp the following summer.
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Johnson was a couched pro for the majority of 2014, eventually getting signed by the Patriots to a reserve/futures contract on New Year’s Eve. He turned heads in training camp last summer, forcing his way onto the final roster and appearing in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, a game in which Johnson made his first NFL tackle.
Recent installments in Patriots kick-off countdown profile series:
60 days – No. 60 David Andrews
61 days – No. 61 Marcus Cannon
At 6-foot-5, Johnson is lanky and long. Certainly, his physical traits could be put to good use on the Patriots’ defense. Another good training camp and Johnson could contend for a depth spots behind Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, Jonathan Freeny and Shea McClellin.
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It’s hard to see Johnson uprooting any of those four linebackers, so he must focus on outperforming the likes of Ramon Humber (former Saints teammate), draft pick Elandon Roberts, undrafted free agent signing C.J. Johnson and Kevin Snyder. Special teams will be a huge determinant for that final linebacker spot.
Next: 10 most promising sophomore pros on Pats’ roster
Since there is no player currently wearing the No. 58, No. 57 and No. 56 jerseys, this series will take a break until Monday. Be sure to stop by Musket Fire Monday morning as we mark 55 days until the Patriots open 2016 by profiling the owner of the No. 55 jersey, linebacker Jonathan Freeny.