Tag: Anthony Johnson Jr.

Former Packers S Anthony Johnson  Jr. claimed off waivers by Giants

Former Packers S Anthony Johnson Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Wednesday.

The Green Bay Packers made a few surprise cuts on Tuesday while trimming their roster down to 53 players. Among the biggest surprises was the team’s decision to part ways with safety Anthony Johnson Jr. If the plan was to sign Johnson to the practice squad, that plan was thwarted by the New York Giants, who claimed Johnson off waivers on Wednesday.

Johnson, a 2023 seventh-round pick out of Iowa State, made the initial 53-man roster as a rookie. He appeared in 12 games, including four starts, logging 24 tackles, three pass defenses, and one interception.

Johnson was off to a strong start to begin this year’s training camp, earning praise from head coach Matt LaFleur.

“He’s had an outstanding camp up to this point,” said LaFleur. “I think it’s a very competitive situation. He’s really learned a ton. He’s made a huge jump I would say, in my eyes, to this point from last season. Now he’s got to go out and do it as we get to some live bullets in terms of those preseason games. So, it will be interesting to see how he does. But I’m excited for him.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson had just an average preseason, finishing with four tackles and a forced fumble for a defensive grade of 66.7.

While Johnson may have not done anything specifically to lose his spot, he was a part of one of the team’s most competitive position groups. Last year’s safety group was defined by inconsistency and a lack of play-making, pushing the Packers to go out and sign Xavier McKinney and add three safeties during the draft.

McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, and Zayne Anderson comprise the current safety room. Anderson’s status as a stalwart special teamer may have been the deciding factor between him and Johnson.

However, the Giants see potential in Johnson and will give him an opportunity to contribute in 2024.

Giants awarded DB Anthony Johnson Jr. off waivers from Packers

The New York Giants added to their young secondary on Wednesday by claiming former Green Bay Packers DB Anthony Johnson Jr. off waivers.

The New York Giants were awarded defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr., formerly of the Green Bay Packers, off of waivers on Wednesday.

Johnson was the lone player awarded to the Giants off waivers.

Johnson, 24, was waived by the Packers at the roster deadline on Tuesday. He was a seventh-round pick out of Iowa State (242nd overall) in the 2023 NFL draft.

Johnson played in 12 games for the Packers last season, starting four. He also appeared in two postseason games.

During the regular season, Johnson recorded 24 tackles (18 solo), three passes defensed, and one interception.

Johnson (6’0″, 205) was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022.

None of the players the Giants waived on Tuesday were claimed and are now free agents. They can sign elsewhere or be added back to the team’s practice squad.

In a corresponding move, the Giants have waived safety Gervarrius Owens.

[lawrence-related id=731926,731921,731887]

Pair of Packers rookies recently fined for on-field rules violations

Packers rookie Lukas Van Ness and Anthony Johnson were both fined over the last month for violations falling under the league’s gameday accountability umbrella.

A quick update on fines falling under the NFL’s gameday accountability umbrella: Green Bay Packers rookie outside linebacker Lukas Van Ness and rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. were both recently fined for infractions.

Van Ness was fined $10,927 for unnecessary roughness during the Packers’ Week 12 win over the Detroit Lions. The play came on a two-point conversion by the Lions in the third quarter; Van Ness was penalized 15 yards for his involvement in a scuffle between the two teams following the conversion.

Johnson was fined $4,283 for unnecessary roughness during the Packers’ Week 14 loss to the New York Giants. The play came in the first quarter on a punt return; Johnson was penalized for an illegal blindside block. Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia believed the penalty was incorrectly called, but the NFL reviewed the play and deemed it worthy of a fine.

Van Ness and Johnson became the seventh and eighth Packers player to be fined by the NFL under the gameday accountability umbrella this season.

The league is posting all fined penalties and actions from the previous week on Saturdays this season.

From the NFL: “Players subject to accountability measures receive a letter informing them of what they did, a video of the play in question, why they are being fined and how much it will cost them. They also receive information on how to appeal the fine. If they choose not to appeal, the fine is withheld from their next game check.”

All appeals are handled appeals officers James Thrash and Derrick Brooks, two former players appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. Fines are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation.

Packers Wire will track the on-field penalties and resulting fines in recurring posts each week.

Week 1: LB De’Vondre Campbell ($10,927), CB Rasul Douglas ($13,659)
Week 3: CB Rasul Douglas ($11,473), TE Ben Sims ($4,167)
Week 8: OLB Kingsley Enagbare ($5,170)
Week 9: OLB Rashan Gary ($10,927)
Week 10: OT Zach Tom ($5,534)
Week 12: OLB Lukas Van Ness ($10,927)
Week 14: S Anthony Johnson Jr. ($4,283)

Packers rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. taking snaps with starters in recent practices

Packers rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. is gaining steam. He played well in the preseason opener and is now getting first-team reps in practice.

Green Bay Packers rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr. has spent just about all of training camp playing with the third-team defense and was pretty far down on the depth chart. However, following a very good performance on Friday in Cincinnati, Johnson has seen some reps with the starters on Sunday and Monday.

“I think he’s done a great job,” said Matt LaFleur on Monday. “You can certainly see his speed. His athleticism. He made plays on teams which is absolutely critical. I thought he went in there, (and) outside of the dropped interception, I thought he played pretty well.”

Johnson posted an elite 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash on the Relative Athletic Score scale during the pre-draft process, along with elite testing in the vertical and broad jumps. He has been able to flash this burst in practice with one rep, in particular, coming to mind where Johnson was the deep safety, recognized it was a run play, and filled the gap at the line of scrimmage to limit the ball carrier.

Against the Bengals, Johnson played 10 special teams snaps — the sixth most on the team — across four different units and made two tackles. On defense, Johnson again showcased that tackling ability that we saw from him at Iowa State, totaling three tackles and limiting pass catchers to just 10 yards on two receptions.

As a result of his recent play, Johnson has now seen some snaps during both Sunday and Monday’s practices with the ones on defense. Before Friday, it didn’t even look like Johnson was going to make the 53-man roster, as he was routinely the sixth safety on the depth chart, playing behind Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, Tarvarius Moore, and even Dallin Leavitt. The last time the Packers rostered six safeties was back in 2016.

The first four players just listed are going to be on the 53-man roster. The question that remains in that regard is who will be starting next to Savage? But Johnson recently appears to be challenging Leavitt for that potential fifth and final roster spot. In terms of defensive upside, it’s not even close; Johnson has the edge there over Leavitt. And if he can continue to make an impact on special teams, Leavitt’s role then becomes diminished.

From a roster construction standpoint, keeping the young, still developing player on the back end of the roster makes more sense than the veteran who is playing on a one-year deal and can really only impact the game through special teams.

Johnson has the skill set to fill an Adrian Amos-like role in this Packers defense, with his sound tackling and ability to play in the box, along with the play referenced above also illustrating why. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is only his second season playing the safety position. Johnson’s first four years at Iowa State were as a boundary cornerback. Even if he makes the final roster, 2023 is likely going to be a developmental season for him from a defensive standpoint.

The next handful of days will provide Johnson with a big opportunity to continue boosting his training camp stock. The Packers have a pair of joint practices with New England on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a preseason game on Saturday.

“I think he’s done a great job,” added LaFleur. “He loves football. I think RD (Ryan Downard), G-Money (Greg Williams) have done a good job with him—and Hoodie (Justin Hood). He loves it. He’s totally invested into it, and he’s done a really, really nice job for us.”

[lawrence-related id=96850]

Despite draft picks, Packers not closing door on Mason Crosby, Adrian Amos

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said he won’t close the door on returning kicker Mason Crosby or safety Adrian Amos despite picks made in the 2023 draft.

Despite the Green Bay Packers selecting kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round and safety Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round, general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t ruling out free agent Mason Crosby as an option at kicker and free agent Adrian Amos at safety.

Gutekunst on Crosby: “I’ve praised Mason up here a bunch, and what he’s done for our organization, and we’re never going to close the door on that.”

Gutekunst on Amos: “We’re not going to close the door on that, Adrian has done such a nice job for us over the last four years. We’ve been in communication with him along the way. We’ll see where that goes…Adrian, he played at a high level for a long time, played at a high level for us last year, so we wouldn’t close the door on that yet.”

Carlson was the team’s first draft pick at kicker since Crosby, the 193rd pick in the sixth round of the 2007 draft.

In Carlson, the Packers think they have an ascending kicker talent who is finally healthy after two injury-plagued seasons in 2021 (ACL) and 2022 (shoulder). He was an All-American in 2020 but has struggled with consistency since, especially from long range. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia worked with his older brother, Daniel, in Las Vegas, and he also spent time with Anders at Auburn before the draft. Gutekunst admitted Bisaccia’s familarity and confidence in Carlson greatly impacted the decision to make him a sixth-round pick.

In a weak safety class, the Packers waited until deep into the seventh round to make a pick at the position.

A seventh-round pick doesn’t usually impact roster plans for a season, but Johnson Jr. has the experience (played in over 60 games at Iowa State) and coverage ability to play rotational snaps right away as a rookie. The Packers also re-signed Rudy Ford and Dallin Leavitt, signed Tarvarius Moore and are moving Darnell Savage back to safety, so the depth chart is getting a little crowded.

Crosby turns 39 later this year and would need a decent salary to return. Amos turned 30 on Saturday and is coming off a disappointing 2022 season.

It’s possible the Packers will want to get a long look at the young, new options at kicker and safety before deciding on whether or not to bring back Crosby and Amos for 2023. The Packers don’t want to say they are rebuilding, but this is a young team in transition, and developing the future — especially after making two draft picks — might trump spending money on retaining two veterans.

[lawrence-related id=93390,93340,93252]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Packers select Iowa State S Anthony Johnson Jr. at No. 242 overall in seventh round of 2023 draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Iowa State safety Anthony Johnson Jr. at No. 242 overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Iowa State safety Anthony Johnson Jr. at No. 242 overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Johnson produced 243 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, 30 pass breakups and two intereptions over 62 games and 54 starts at Iowa State.

Johnson (6-0, 205) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, hit 37.5″ in the vertical leap and covered 10-5 in the broad jump at the combine. He finished the three-cone in 7.07 seconds and the short shuttla in 4.31 seconds while doing 12 bench reps at his pro day. His Relative Athletic Score is 8.13 out of 10.0.

Johnson converted from cornerback. He could compete for playing time at safety as a rookie.

[lawrence-related id=92926]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

2023 NFL Draft: The top 9 safeties

From Brian Branch to Jartavius Martin, here are Doug Farrar’s top nine safeties in the 2023 NFL draft class.

In the modern NFL, it’s the rare safety who’s paid to be just a safety. Three players classified as safeties finished the 2022 season with six interceptions: Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles. Each of those players had more than 100 snaps in the slot last season, and Gardner-Johnson’s deployment may have been most indicative of the ways in which defensive coordinators would like most of their safeties to play. He had 443 snaps at free safety, 202 in the box, and 208 in the slot.

If you are going to be a traditional deep safety most of the time, as Quandre Diggs of the Seattle Seahawks was with a league-leading 1,012 of his 1,221 snaps in the deep third, you’d better be some kind of ballhawk. Last season, only 21 players had more than 600 snaps at pure free safety, and the slot percentages for most safeties have increased exponentially over the last few years. In an NFL where nickel is the new base defense, and most defenses are playing as much or more dime than old-school base, the ways things worked before don’t work now most of the time.

So, when we look at the top nine draft prospects classified as safeties in this draft class, we’re focusing on positional versatility above all, and if positional versatility isn’t the thing, there had best be one mega/alpha skill if you want to make this list.

No matter where they play on the field from snap to snap, here are our nine best safeties for the 2023 NFL draft.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus, Sports Info Solutions, and Football Outsiders unless otherwise indicated).

(All prospect measurement percentiles courtesy of MockDraftable.com). 

2023 NFL draft: Latest Giants Wire mock sees trades, 12 picks

In the latest 7-round mock draft from Giants Wire, the New York Giants trade back and end up making 12 total selections.

The New York Giants received two compensatory draft selections from the league on Thursday, raising their total to 11 for the upcoming NFL draft.

The Giants have settled some pressing issues already this offseason by bringing quarterback Daniel Jones under contract and placing the franchise tag placeholder on running back Saquon Barkley.

General manager Joe Schoen still has plenty of cap room to play with in free agency and will be filling some much-needed holes before he gets to the draft table.

One glaring need likely to be addressed in free agency is wide receiver. We project Schoen will bring in a veteran (perhaps Odell Beckham Jr., Adam Thielen or someone along those lines) and perhaps bring back Sterling Shepard or Darius Slayton.

Taking all of that into account, we decided to try our hand at a pre-free agency mock draft based on the news of the added draft picks.

Senior Bowl, Day 3: Which defenders stood out?

Which defenders stood out in Day 3 of Senior Bowl week? Laurie Fitzpatrick checks in from Mobile.

MOBILE, Alabama — On the last day of Senior Bowl practices, it was a lot about who could step up and finish strong. There were more individual drills that took place inside the redzone, and at the goal line, so we could see these players work with limited space.

Who could win and who could score.

Over the last few days, these players have been getting used to their competition, so there was more chatter between reps. Which made the competitiveness rise. We got a chance to see who would come out on top when the pressure was on.

On the defensive side of the ball, there were a few players that showed a lot of improvement, and others who continued to show why their stocks continue to rise. Let’s dive into who’s stock went up on Day 3 of Senior Bowl week.