5. Jaylon Johnson could be one of the biggest steals of the draft
The Bears got a top-three cornerback talent in Utah’s Jaylon Johnson in the second round, and you can’t help but feel like Chicago might’ve gotten a second-round steal. Johnson is an intelligent, ballhawk of a corner that will challenge receivers and figures to be plugged in as an immediate starter opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller.
The reason Johnson fell to the Bears in the second round had nothing to do with his talent and everything to do with his injury history. Johnson has dealt with shoulder injuries during his collegiate career, and most recently he underwent surgery after the NFL Combine to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Some general managers shy away from players with injury concerns. But Pace isn’t one of them. That’s how he wound up securing All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson in the fourth round in 2017 and even receiver Anthony Miller in the second round in 2018. Both had injury concerns, but they’re both contributors for this team. Jackson, especially, is integral to this defense. Perhaps we’ll be saying the same about Johnson down the line.
[vertical-gallery id=443889]
[lawrence-related id=443911,443875,443813,443826]