2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top ten cornerbacks
By John Newman
Scouting Report. 7. 843. Pick Analysis. Cornerback. Utah. Jaylon Johnson. player
Projected Round: 3rd
Game Reviewed: Utah vs USC, 2019
Utah junior Jaylon Johnson is the next cornerback on our list. Watching Johnson’s film, it is easy to see how NFL general managers are going to fall head over heels with this guy. This cornerback is by far the most aggressive of the players on this list. He will break in on a route in a heartbeat if he thinks he has a chance at an interception. And so far, that recklessness has not cost him much in college.
His highlight reel will have you thinking you’ve found the next Jalen Ramsey. But on a film review, it’s more nuanced than that. Johnson plays with a ton of in-your-face, man to man coverage that is fun to watch. His hard-nosed style of aggressive play has earned Johnsons a chorus of supporters, but his aggressive tendencies will have to be culled in the NFL if he hopes to not cost his team multiple penalties a game.
Johnson has more talents than just manhandling a receiver though. He tracks the ball well in the air and can make those game-changing plays when jumping for the ball. In the past two seasons, Johnsons has earned 6 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for a touchdown, along with 66 tackles and 15 pass deflections. Johnson plays with a high level of confidence, which is an important trait in the NFL.
They say cornerbacks need to have a short memory. Johnson is the type of player who can give up a big play in a game, and then immediately after rock his receiver for a pop-up interception.
His technique is seriously lacking, however, and more discerning scouts will have to decide whether that aggressive style will translate well in the NFL. Johnson is the type of player that, if he started right now might get your team 2 interceptions a game. But the illegal contact and pass interference calls would give up so many yards, you’d wonder if Johnson is helping or hurting your defense.
That tough style will have to be coached out of him at the next level. If a team can do that, they will have an elite cornerback on their hands.