Chiefs movie evaluation: cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. has length and physicality - Arrowhead satisfaction

all through the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas city Chiefs hammered one certain place community: defensive backs. They drafted five of them — three listed as cornerbacks and two as safeties.

Yet before the grime might even settle from Draft Weekend, Kansas city obtained one more: former Houston Texans protecting lower back Lonnie Johnson Jr. Thee Chiefs traded a conditional seventh-round prefer in 2024 for Johnson — who is entering the remaining season of his rookie deal.

He has performed everywhere the Houston secondary — nevertheless it is telling that reviews of the transaction labeled him as a cornerback. he'll be part of a crowded room, hoping to emerge from it and play neatly sufficient in 2022 to earn a longer-term contract next offseason.

Let's take a closer analyze what we may still are expecting from him.

The basics

Johnson entered the NFL as a 2nd-circular option of the Texans in 2019. He turned into regarded as a cornerback prospect after enjoying each nook and safety at Kentucky.

He measured 6 ft 2 and 213 kilos, with 87th-percentile arm size amongst cornerbacks. He didn't provoke along with his 40-yard sprint time of 4.fifty two seconds — however he boasted a 38-inch vertical and 10 feet 9 inches on the extensive bounce.

in the NFL, Johnson become initially used as a cornerback, taking part in 70% of his rookie snaps on the outdoor. in the two years because then, he's been more versatile; he has played over 50% of his snaps in a free-security alignment, with 19% as a container player and just 16% at outdoor cornerback.

the place Johnson fits in with the Chiefs Tim Heitman-united states of america today activities

All indications factor to Johnson playing cornerback for the Chiefs — and that would line up with how his 2021 season ended. in the closing three video games he performed — Weeks 14, 15 and 18 — Johnson was primarily a fringe cornerback. these are the games I'm analyzing.

Johnson is willing to throw around his lengthier, larger frame as a tackler — triggering downhill directly and taking good angles in opposition t ball carriers. he is additionally willing to fly in opposition t the line of scrimmage and set an part by using engaging with an offensive lineman's block with momentum.

He tends to count on attacking the runner's legs and taking them out, as opposed to wrapping up as regularly as you'd like to see — that may result in some inconsistency as a tackler. Per PFF, he overlooked 23% of his tackle makes an attempt closing season.

The size he possesses indicates up when he is contesting passes down the container. He knows how to use it, skying and outstretching as lots as viable to get a hand on a soar ball. that you may see instinctual play; he gets himself equipped to contest devoid of being too actual with the receiver.

He combines his length with closing speed to make him a willing tackler, flying against out-breaking routes and making the quarterback's throwing window as tight as viable. He isn't particularly short in transitioning from a backtrack to getting downhill — however once he's relocating against his target, he picks up steam.

As i discussed earlier than, Johnson has played lots of positions all through his younger NFL profession — and i accept as true with it has delayed his progression in any one of them. His aggressive approach will lead to falling for double moves — like on this play towards Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf — and there's additionally the memorable one from the 2019 Divisional round game, the place the Chiefs' Travis Kelce drew a flag on a crimson-zone goal.

There's motive to agree with more time at one position might aid him enhance on the persistence it takes to play cornerback in opposition t pass-chuffed, huge-play offenses.

besides protection, Johnson's build and athletic profile has translated to fine special-teams play; he has performed as a minimum one hundred twenty five special-groups snaps in every of his three seasons. here we see an outstanding block on a punt return.

The bottom line

Johnson doesn't mission to are available and be a starter at cornerback — but he will compete; he is a assured grownup who is hoping to play neatly adequate in 2022 to earn an even bigger deal subsequent offseason.

In a very identical circulate to the trade for Mike Hughes remaining offseason, the Chiefs have taken a swing on a highly-drafted cornerback. Hughes didn't take capabilities of the playing time he received in Kansas metropolis. Johnson could have an even more challenging route to the container than Hughes did.

That spoke of, the Chiefs made this change — even after drafting 5 defensive backs — for a intent. It'll be exciting to look how they maximize Johnson's potential during the three hundred and sixty five days they're slated to have him.