Rams Sign 'Mr. Irrelevant' Desjuan Johnson to Four-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Rams have signed Toledo defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson to a four-year deal

Matt Galatzan | Jun 12, 2023

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Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams made one of the most important picks of the 2023 NFL Draft last month, selecting Toledo defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson with the final overall pick at No. 259, making him the highly publicized choice for 'Mr. Irrelevant'.

Now, per his agent, David Canter, Johnson has signed his first NFL Contract, penning a four-year deal with Los Angeles.

During his time at Toledo, Johnson was an impact presence, playing in 11 games and totaling 16 tackles and a sack as just a freshman. Over the next three seasons, including the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season, Johnson continued to improve, earning Second-Team All-MAC Honors two years in a row in 2020 and 2021.

And in 2022, everything came together, with Johnson playing in fourteen games, totaling 65 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one interception on his way to a First-Team All-MAC nod.

Johnson will have a chance to come in and compete for a spot on the Rams practice squad, but very well could make his way onto a rebuilding roster that is in desperate need of bodies. In fact, the Rams had fewer players under contract entering the NFL Draft than any other franchise, with just 44 players.

One of the more notable departures from the Rams came on the interior of the defensive line, with A'Shawn Robinson signing as a free agent with the New York Giants this offseason.

A few of the most notable Mr. Irrelevant selections of the past include 49ers QB Brock Purdy, Punter Ryan Succop, defensive back Michael Green, linebacker Tae Crowder, and linebacker Marty Moore

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Published Jun 12, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com