CBS publishes NFL scouting report on safety Antonio Johnson

On3 imageby:Marshall Levenson•03/09/23•

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Now that the NFL Combine is officially over, just about every analyst and media entity is publishing final scouting reports on prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Texas A&M has had a trio of prospects getting some attention but safety Antonio Johnson has managed to command a bit more attention than the others.

CBS is the most recent publication to publish their scouting reports and Johnson got a positive review. As most have stated in recent days, they view Johnson as a quality long-term starter in the NFL.

CBS’ Scouting Report on Johnson

Rating: 86.58 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Ronnie Harrison

For reference, Ronnie Harrison is going into his sixth year in the NFL after being drafted in the 3rd round out of Alabama in 2018. In his career, Harrison has played in 67 games and has logged 210 total tackles, 22 passes defended, five interceptions, and 5.5 sacks.

Summary:

Antonio Johnson is a large, fluid, athletic specimen at safey. He moves like a big cornerback but plays like a linebacker. He was routinely used in the box or as a robber floating into the middle of the field. He’s noticably athletic in all phases, but looks a little awkward when sinking in coverage and changing directions, and his instincts aren’t there yet. He has plenty of slot defender experience, and he holds his own in that regard when not dealing with small, quick WRs. He’s best against TEs. Tackling issues arose in his final collegiate season, but he does have serious range. If utilized in an enforced, thumper role, he can be a successful pro.

Strengths:

  • Plenty of slot defender experience and has the twitch to stay with quicker, smaller receivers
  • Major range and nice collection of thumping hits on film
  • Athleticism of a corner, playing style of a linebacker

Weaknesses:

  • More of a box safety than coverage type
  • Tackling issues popped up in 2022
  • Will take a while to acclimate to the coverage part of the safety spot

Numbers a the NFL Combine

Measurements

  • HEIGHT: 6-foot-2
  • WEIGHT: 198 lbs
  • ARM: 32 1/8’’
  • HAND: 9 3/4’’

Drills

  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds (t-8th)
  • 10-Yard Split: 1.57 seconds (t-13th)
  • Vertical Jump: 31’’ (t-17th)
  • Broad Jump: 9’ 10’’ (t-15th)

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. One hundred underclassmen gained approval for last year’s draft. Seventy-three of those 100 underclassmen received special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.