20 best NFL players from Big 12 schools
Derrick Johnson was a good player for the Kansas City Chiefs for the first five years of his career since they took the Texas Longhorns middle linebacker with the No. 15 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. But in the last five seasons, he’s taken his game to another level and been one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Johnson is perfectly suited to play the inside linebacker position in the 3-4 and he’s shown the ability to play the pass with 43 passes defended and six interceptions in his last five seasons. and he’s shown the ability to rush the passer with 13.5 sacks, including 8.5 over his last two seasons.
Further, he’s been the steadying force for one of the best defenses in the NFL over the last few years. The Chiefs have studs in the secondary with Eric Berry and Marcus Peters and on the edge with Justin Houston and Tamba Hali and nose tackle Dontari Poe is a beast. However, without Johnson to be the glue to hold it all together, the overall team success wouldn’t be where it is.
Next: 3. Trent Williams