Tag: Antonio Johnson

10 takeaways from the top defensive back performances at NFL Combine

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the defensive back workouts at the 2023 NFL scouting combine

The Eagles are in Indianapolis for the 2023 NFL scouting combine, and all eyes within the organization will likely be on impact defenders.

Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Marcus Epps are all slated for free agency. It won’t be possible for the Eagles to bring them all back, especially once Jalen Hurts signs his new deal.

Philadelphia could look to draft a cornerback and safety with multiple free agents in the secondary.

We’ve previewed the edge rushers and linebackers who worked out on Thursday, and here are the takeaways from the defensive back portion of the events.

2023 NFL Combine results for former Aggie Antonio Johnson

Final results for Antonio Johnson at the 2023 NFL Combine

Another year another NFL combine. Scouts and coaches are going through the annual routine of evaluating athletes at the 2023 NFL scouting combine. Over 300 former college football players filed into Lucas Oil Stadium with the opportunity to make a lasting impression on the NFL teams in attendance.

Antonio Johnson was one of three former Aggies participating in this week’s events. The junior safety is widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs in this draft class and prior to the combine was seen as a potential first-round pick.

Here is a look at the final numbers from the NFL combine for former Aggie Antonio Johnson, including his overall grade and projection.

3 defensive backs Saints fans should scout at the 2023 NFL combine

Antonio Johnson and Trey Dean among defensive back matches for the #Saints to watch at the NFL Combine, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

While the New Orleans Saints are pretty set at cornerback with Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor all currently on the roster, the value of good defensive backs should never be overlooked. For New Orleans, their biggest need from this group will be that of safety. With only veterans Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye under contract to start the offseason, the position should be seen as a bit of an underrated need.

The Saints could also look to find an option to compete on the slot with veteran corner Bradley Roby as there are a lot of versatile players in this year’s NFL draft. After the departure of former slot safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson last year, an injection of youth at the position could be in the team’s best interest. That would make an investment there both a short and long-term one for the Saints defense. Here are three options to keep an eye on at the combine.

10 defensive backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2023 NFL combine

We’re previewing 10 defensive backs for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The Eagles are in Indianapolis for the 2023 NFL scouting combine, and all eyes within the organization will likely be on impact defenders.

Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Marcus Epps are all slated for free agency. It won’t be possible for the Eagles to bring them all back, especially once Jalen Hurts signs his new deal.

We’ve previewed the edge rushers and linebackers who worked out on Thursday, and we’ll now transition to a deep class at the defensive back position.

Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson speak about their NFL futures at the Combine

Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson speak spoke to the media on Thursday during the first day of the NFL combine

On Thursday, March 2nd, The NFL Scouting Combine officially opened as this year’s crop of Defensive linemen and Linebackers hit the field to display their skill sets. During the open media portion on Thursday morning, members of Friday’s Defensive back group, former Aggie cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson took the mic to discuss their NFL futures.

What stood out the most during Jaylon Jones’ media availability was his potential connection with former Aggie, and current Dallas Cowboys free agent Donovan Wilson, noting that he has not been in contact with the Cowboys as of Thursday, but stating that it would be a “blessing” to play next to Wilson next season while as as “a sponge” to soak up every piece of playing knowledge the four-year vet has to offer.

Antonio Johnson provided insight on what NFL scouts question the most about his skill set, focusing on his man coverage while noting that some scouts worry about his future turnover production at the next level due to having only one career interception as an Aggie. However, Johnson made it a point of focus on his man coverage tape from his sophomore season against Arkansas, specifically current Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks.

What really caught my ear during Johnson’s entire question-and-answer portion came from the College Football Network, which asked how the 2023 Aggie Football squad can get back on track next season,

“Getting the guys to buy in, we have a good group of guys there, we had a young team this year, so we have alot of young talent learning the game there, building themselves as players and humans, so I feel like the leaders that they have and the young guys that they have, theyre on the uprise.”

Make sure to catch both Jaylon Jones and Antonio Johnson on the field on Friday, March 3rd on the NFL Network at 2:00 PM CT.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Jaguars mock draft tracker: Tight ends still leading the way

With Evan Engram still unsigned, experts’ mock drafts are still leaning tight end for the Jaguars.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is underway and the Jacksonville Jaguars still haven’t locked down tight end Evan Engram.

That’s more a matter of when, not if, but experts still largely expect the Jaguars to target a tight end in April.

Perhaps that’ll change when the Jaguars make their retention of Engram official. For now, our survey of 37 mock drafts from the last 10 days are leaning toward the tight end position with cornerbacks, safeties, linemen, and pass rushers sprinkled in.

CBS Sports 2-round mock draft has Saints signing Derek Carr, Will Levis landing in the NFC South

A new CBS Sports 2-round mock draft has the Saints signing Derek Carr, with Will Levis landing in the NFC South with Carolina:

How would signing Derek Carr shake up the New Orleans Saints draft strategy? Right now, they don’t have a higher priority than getting things sorted at quarterback. If they’re able to come away with their top target under center, it opens things up for them in the 2023 NFL draft. They’re free to go after other positions at different areas of need.

It’s a scenario explored by CBS Sports draft analyst Chris Trapasso, who recently completed a two-round projection ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine. Here’s what he has New Orleans doing after acquiring Carr, and what that move kicks off around the NFC South:

Browns pass on defensive tackle and wide receiver in recent mock draft

The Browns upgraded their secondary in Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft

Mock drafts, mock drafts, mock drafts. We have reached the point of the offseason where one can find 2023 NFL Mock Draft at every turn of the corner. And a new one completed by Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has the Cleveland Browns opting against a defensive tackle or a wide receiver in favor of a safety. With the 42nd overall pick in Farrar’s mock draft, the Browns selected Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson.

As the Browns likely look for two safeties in free agency and the draft, with Ronnie Harrison and John Johnson III likely exit, there are a variety of ways to do it. Using the 42nd overall pick on Johnson is one of those pathways.

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Brian Flores wants guys who can play multiple spots on defense

The new defensive coordinator has a preference when it comes to bringing in talent

The Minnesota Vikings announced their new defensive coordinator Brian Flores on Wednesday afternoon and there were quite a few interesting things to come from his first appearance in front of the Twin Cities media.

One of those was him talking about the players that he likes to prioritize on the defensive side of the football with the main one being versatility.

“I’m big on versatility. Guys being able to play multiple spots. In order to do that, we’ve got to get them coached up to play those multiple spots. We’ll cast a wide net to see what we do best, and we’ll try to highlight the things our players do well.”

When it comes to how the Vikings will prioritize talent on the defensive side of the football, this is something that will take precedence. When you look back at the teams that he coached in both New England and Miami, guys like Eric Rowe, Patrick Chung, Jevon Holland and Emmanuel Ogbah can do more than just one thing and that will be what they look for moving forward.

Some players in the draft that the Vikings might be more open to targeting with the Flores hire.

  • Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson
  • Alabama DB Brian Branch
  • Georgia Tech DL Keion White
  • Bowling Green DL Karl Brooks
  • Auburn DL Derick Hall
  • Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
  • Texas A&M DB Antonio Johnson

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Packers go WR-S-TE in new 3-round mock draft at NFL.com

The Packers got a receiver in the first round, a safety in the second round and a tight end in the third round of Chad Reuter’s new mock draft.

Chad Reuter’s latest three-round mock draft for NFL.com featured a flurry of trades in the first round, but none involving the Green Bay Packers or Aaron Rodgers, so Reuter made one pick each in the first, second and third rounds.

The selections?

First round, No. 15: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Second round, No. 45: S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Third round, No. 78: TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa

In Smith-Njigba, the Packers would get a versatile, high-volume target in the passing game who could be an ideal piece to a three-receiver set featuring 2022 draft picks Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

Johnson put together two terrific seasons as a do-it-all defensive back for Texas A&M. His ability to play deep or in the slot could make him an attractive player as the Packers attempt to rehaul the safety room this offseason.

LaPorta is a field-stretching threat who can make tacklers miss in the open field and create big plays in the passing game. Could he be the next great tight end from Iowa? The Packers need more production and a long-term option at the position.

Reuter only provided commentary on the first round.

Here’s his blurb on the Packers taking Smith Njigba at No. 15: “Smith-Njigba is just as talented as the three former Ohio State receivers — Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jameson Williams — picked in the top 12 last year. (Williams, of course, played his final year at Alabama.) He has excellent hands and quickness/strength after the catch. If his troublesome hamstring is fully healed, I expect teams to place a high value on him. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Packers moved up to grab JSN, or one of the top tight ends, to aid whoever their quarterback might be in 2023.”

Adding Smith-Njigba and LaPorta could provide a big jolt of playmaking ability to the Packers passing game, and Johnson fits the versatile mold the Packers like in the defensive secondary.

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