The relationship between veterans and rookies is a critical combination for every team in the NFL. The rookies in need of guidance often rely on veteran players that occupy the same position as they work to build habits to become better players.
Marshall University’s Nazeeh Johnson joins a Kansas City Chiefs team that is searching for an instant spark from the secondary. The former walk-on earned a seventh-round selection 259th overall, but he won’t let his draft status determine his role on this team. Johnson spoke about his thoughts on making the jump to the NFL and shared that he draws inspiration from one of his new teammates during Monday’s rookie camp.
“I knew from day one because this is a pristine organization, and they have a great history here,” Johnson told reporters. “I knew from day one that you have to be a professional, they don’t care if you’re a rookie. You get some chances, but they expect everything out of you no matter what round you’re from.”
In 2021, Johnson posted 67 tackles, two interceptions, and a spot on the Conference USA All-Conference team. As he enters the NFL, he’s looking to model his game after one of his new teammates whom he’s familiar with from his time in college. That player is Chiefs’ third-year corner L’Jarius Sneed, who Johnson played against when Sneed was at Lousiana Tech.
“(L’Jarius) Sneed, I learned a lot from him because I played him in college,” said Johnson. “The way he translated from college to the pros is excellent, so I’m going to pick his brain and learn from him because he’s executing at a high level.”
Sneed was a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs during his rookie season in 2020, earning PFWA All-Rookie team honors. It appears the former fourth-round pick might also be adding the title of mentor in 2022. Under Sneed’s guidance, perhaps Johnson will be able to find a way to duplicate that type of early-career success and carve out a role on the team.
“I like how fluid he is, physical,” Johnson said of Sneed. “He plays the corner, he plays the nickel, so he knows a lot of positions on this defense. So he has created value for himself, so that’s the biggest thing, learning from somebody who created value. And that’s what I’m trying to do is to create value for myself.”
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