Round 3 Pick 91: John Johnson, S

[CGI_Ram]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/john-johnson?id=2558183

John Johnson (S)
HT: 6'0" WT: 208LBS.

POSITION: S

SCHOOL: Boston College

ARM LENGTH: 32"

HANDS: 9 7/8"


Overview
Johnson's career with the Eagles ended on a high note, beating his home-state team, Maryland, in the Quick Lane Bowl. He had 12 tackles (11 solo) in the contest, capping off an excellent senior season (77 tackles, 2.5 for loss, three interceptions, nine pass breakups). In 2015, Johnson got on scouts' radars as a first-year starter (63 tackles, 1.5 for loss, three INT, three PBU). He may have done so as a sophomore, but missed the last five regular season games of the year with an arm injury before coming back for the bowl game (25 tackles on the year, two PBU). The second-team all-state pick from Maryland contributed in all 12 games as a freshman, picking up four tackles and a fumble recovery.


COMBINE STATS

• 40 YARD DASH: 4.61 SEC
• BENCH PRESS: 14 REPS
• VERTICAL JUMP: 37.0 INCH
• BROAD JUMP: 119.0 INCH
• 3 CONE DRILL: 6.72 SEC
• 20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.18 SEC

ANALYSIS
Strengths
Has starting experience as cornerback and safety. Can play high safety or cover the slot. Plays with smooth hips and above average mirror and match footwork for the safety spot. At ease with directional changes in space. Adequate instincts in coverage. Will shade his coverage from high safety based on play development and quarterback's glances. Winning ball skills with very good ball tracking and soft hands. Interceptions don't just come his way, he goes and gets them. Has agility to take zig-zag downhill track to running backs. Bounces into run fits with lively feet and a tackle-ready base. Special teams monster with 30 tackles over the last three seasons on cover teams.

Weaknesses
Tends to take passive routes to the ball when he's the last line of defense. Leverages to the sideline while drifting backwards rather than closing downhill. Features a small delay at top of his transition when triggering. Needs to improve physicality as a tackler. Feet deaden near point of impact. Needs to drive through his target and finish with his feet.

Draft Projection
Round 3-4

Sources Tell Us
"He's really caught my eye out here. Had to go look him up with one of our scouts to find out more about the kid. Way more athletic than a lot of the safeties you see out at this game." -- NFC secondary coach

NFL Comparison
Aaron Williams

Bottom Line
Ascending defender with the experience, athleticism and ball skills to play as a high safety or in man coverage. Johnson is well above average as a ball-tracker and has the soft hands to finish at the catch-point against receivers. He has decent size but won't be a banger as a tackler, however, his ability in coverage has NFL personnel men buzzing as a potential early starter in the league

 

[den-the-coach]

He'll be great.

 

[OldSchool]

Versatile is the key word for him. CB slot especially and a good FS. Not my ideal choice but he's very talented that's for sure.

 

[codeman]

I had him in my first mock draft. Really really smooth safety who can play anywhere in the secondary. I like him in the slot against TEs and RBs. Wade seems to like his BC safeties.

 

[MTRamsFan]

 

[MTRamsFan]

 

[simonblaze]

I knew we were gonna get John Johnson, i had him going at that exact pick to us. 100% so far in my mock...







Never heard of this dude, hope Michael Michaels is there in the 4th

 

[Soul Surfer]

Where does this leave Joyner because Joyner is not a cornerback.

Doesn't his game kind of replicate Joyner's?

 

[StealYoGurley]

Wade seems to like what BC does with their Safeties. Broncos Drafted BC FS Justin Simmons last year and Johnson moved over from SS to FS this year and Wade drafts with the Rams.

 

[StealYoGurley]

Where does this leave Joyner because Joyner is not a cornerback.

Doesn't his game kind of replicate Joyner's?

Joyner plays FS in Base and Johnson comes in for him in nickel when joyner moves to the slot.

 

[Merlin]

Seems like a real good kid off field, enjoyed that hadn't seen it and thx for posting it.

 

[Corbin]

Finally confirmation on my opinion that the midget Joyner is to little and our coaches think that as well! Lol

 

[RamsSince1969]

Feeling hopeful with the draft picks. See you guys tomorrow!

 

[Merlin]

Joyner plays FS in Base and Johnson comes in for him in nickel when joyner moves to the slot.

If he wins the spot, yeah, sounds about right. Until that time, he's gonna carry his weight on teams, that's for sure.

 

[bubbaramfan]

This was Wade's pick.

I like the Rams draft so far.

Good night Gentlemen. Be back tomorrow for the rest of the draft.

Looking forward to some ROD discussion with substance for a change.

 

[JackDRams]

I knew we were gonna get John Johnson, i had him going at that exact pick to us. 100% so far in my mock...







Never heard of this dude, hope Michael Michaels is there in the 4th

You had him going to the exact pick to us, that we acquired from a different team?

 

[Soul Surfer]

Finally confirmation on my opinion that the midget Joyner is too little and our coaches think that as well! Lol

So now we have Lamarcus Joyner and Roby- Coleman at the slot back position and Johnson is the possible Free Safety.

Interesting pick.

 

[simonblaze]

You had him going to the exact pick to us, that we acquired from a different team?

Sarcasm bro...

Checc the bottom of the post

 

[Ram65]

Joyner is in last year of contract IIRC. Can do lots of things like special teams, coverage and safety. He will contribute while learning. Good depth addition and future starter.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Mike Mayock just spoke at length about Johnson. Said he can be a day 1 starter at a high level.