Antonio Johnson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Safety
Height: 6′-2″
Weight: 198 pounds
School: Texas A&M
2023 NFL Draft: Antonio Johnson Scouting Report
After spending the past three seasons with Texas A&M, Antonio Johnson has decided to pass on the remainder of his collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. The safety makes this decision following a strong Junior year where he recorded 71 tackles, one pass defended, three forced fumbles, five tackles-for-loss, and one sack.
Johnson originally joined the college football world as a four-star recruit from Illinois. Seeing the field as a true freshman, Johnson finished the 2020 campaign with 14 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and one pass defended. Antonio Johnson earned a larger role the following season, recording 79 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, and one interception.
Strengths
- Ferocious box safety that delivers punishing hits in the run game;
- Elite acceleration – goes from zero to max in a second;
- Reads the field well and takes optimal route to the ball carrier;
- Has the size to match up against tight ends;
- Sound tackler, rarely misses once he makes contact;
- Likely to be an above-average special teams player.
Weaknesses
- Run-first safety in an era where the passing game has never been more important;
- Strictly a box guy – lacks the range and ball skills to play deep;
- Aggression in run game can be a double-edged sword – when he misses, he misses bad;
- Lacks ball awareness in the passing game – only one interception throughout his career;
- 18th percentile weight and 1st percentile bench press could be a problem with the physical way he plays the position.
NFL Comparison: Jeremy Chinn
Teams With Need at Position: Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Antonio Johnson
Antonio Johnson might not be the most well-rounded player on the field, but he’s an exciting young safety that possesses the energy and attitude you want on your team. The Texas A&M product is at his best near the line of scrimmage, as his aggressive style of play allows him to attack ball carriers and keep them to minimal gains. He has a knack for knowing how to get to his guys while avoiding blockers and is a big support in the run game. While he isn’t a superstar in coverage, he can line up against bigger slot receivers and tight ends and keep them in check.
The biggest worry with Johnson is his limited role. He isn’t ever going to be a deep safety and can get exposed whenever he’s asked to drop into zone coverage. He’s much better against the run than the pass, and that’s a problem in a league where teams are throwing more often than ever. Even as a run defender, there are a few red flags. Johnson’s aggression can be used against him, as when he misses, he misses bad and ends up wildly out of position. Additionally, Johnson is smaller than the typical safety, and he only put up eight reps at the bench press. This complete lack of strength does not show up on his tape, but it could be a problem in the NFL where everyone is bigger and stronger.
Ultimately, Antonio Johnson should be a good player in the NFL if given a very specific role. When asked to play to his strengths, he’s very effective and can provide a physical presence on a strong defense. However, if he’s asked to be a free safety or spend most of his time in coverage, he’s not going to be up for the job.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
