KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oregon edge rusher DJ Johnson was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers on Friday with the No. 80 overall pick.
Johnson is the second Duck off the board, after cornerback Christian Gonzalez went No. 17 overall to the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
The Panthers traded up 13 spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers and gave up a fourth-round pick to select Johnson with their third pick of the draft. Johnson was Carolina's first defensive pick after taking quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama) first overall and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (Ole Miss) in the second round.