The Chicago Bears selected cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the expectation he’d eventually climb the depth chart and become the starter opposite Kyle Fuller.
Johnson was limited in training camp while he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and there were concerns that he wouldn’t be healthy in time to begin the year with the first-team defense.
Then came Week 1 against the Lions, and Johnson was in the starting lineup and emerged as one of Chicago’s top defensive players.
According to The Draft Wire, he was among the NFL’s top rookie performers on opening weekend.
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson is already proving his worth to the Bears defense. He came from a talented defense at Utah that sent a multitude of players to the NFL in the last draft, and it shows. Johnson’s strong debut was punctuated by a game-saving pass breakup in front of Detroit’s Marvin Jones.
Johnson ended the game with six tackles and two pass breakups, including the final play of the game on a pass intended for Jones.
Johnson had some rookie moments, however, including a gaffe in the open field when he was trucked by former Bears receiver Marvin Hall.
Johnson will look to build on his positive momentum when the Bears host the Giants on Sept. 20 at Soldier Field.