With the 2023 NFL Draft inching closer day by day, all eyes will be on the Carolina Panthers and who they select at No. 1 overall. But to others, equal weight will be placed on which prospects slip to the second round, where there’s potential for teams to come away with steal and value picks on Day 2.
Over at 247Sports, the team put together a rundown of the likely draft prospects that may slide past the first round, but could very well star at the next level. Finding themselves on the list is none other than Texas A&M‘s own Antonio Johnson, who played three seasons with the Maroon and White in a hybrid safety-nickel corner role.
Here’s what 247Sports had to say regarding Johnson’s draft day steal appeal:
The consensus is second round for one of this draft’s hardest hitters and productive players at the back end of the defense. According to GigEm247’s Jeff Tarpley, Johnson’s NFL Combine showing altered his stock a bit, from a first-round grade to the middle of Day 2. The East St. Louis, Ill., native paced A&M during the 2022 campaign in tackles with 7.89 takedowns per contest (71 in nine games) with three forced fumbles on the year.
He played a ton of snaps for the Aggies over his career against many of the nation’s most talented teams. Those are quality reps that won’t go unnoticed as a rookie.
Johnson’s draft stock likely took a hit after recording a 4.52 40-yard dash time at the combine, but he rebounded nicely at Texas A&M’s Pro Day after bumping up that time to a 4.4. Questions around his ability to cover faster receivers over the top, as well as the fact that he played closer to the line of scrimmage as a box safety-nickel corner, are factors as to why he may slip into the second round.
But the team that drafts Johnson will be getting arguably the hardest-hitting defensive prospect and a surefire starter in due time. The nickel corner is becoming one of the more vital positions to fill in an NFL defense, with elite receivers such as Davante Adams continuously in motion and looking to do damage from the slot.
At 6-2 and 198 lbs, Johnson has the size and physicality to hold his own in one of the tougher spots of the field to cover. And if you want to add some pressure to opposing signal-callers moving out of the pocket, AJ is your guy as he has a knack for heading downhill to where the action is.
Good luck to opposing running backs that hope to turn the corner and get past him on the outside, as Johnson has the skill set to provide ample run support.
Johnson may not be drafted as a round-one pick, but his play on the field will be indicative of a first-round talent nonetheless.
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