Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

NFL.com Draft Tracker

Lucky

Lucky

Ride, Captain, Ride!
Staff member
Link

300+ prospect links with commentary by Lance Zierlein. Not quite completed and jumping from position lists is wonky. But, it has a lot of insight and opinion. Here's Zierlein's take on Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson.

This Gary, Indiana, native excelled at football and track in high school, but took his game to the junior college level by signing with Garden City Community College. He was a second-team all-conference performer in 2015 with five interceptions but sat out the 2016 season to concentrate on academics. Johnson made enough of an impression at UK during his first year in Lexington that he took over a starting job the final five games. In 13 total games, he made 41 stops, three for loss, and five pass breakups. Johnson started all 13 games in 2018, making 23 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups.

Overview
Long and tall with physical traits galore, Johnson looks the part but lacks the consistency and ball skills expected of a starting NFL cornerback. He has enough athleticism to make it as a cornerback, but he could be tied to a press-and-trail scheme where some of his coverage deficiencies can be covered up. His physical gifts could get him overdrafted, but he can become an eventual starter if he hones his ball skills and finds the right scheme fit.

Strengths
  • Exceptional size for the position
  • Long arms dangle down his side
  • Has physical traits to become much more effective from press
  • Offers up a stiff jab to stall receiver's release near goal line
  • Adequate smoothness in backpedal
  • Fluid feet in early stages of mirror-and-match from press or off-man
  • Lateral transitions are fluid
  • Adequate eye balance between high/low routes from zone
  • Effective use of length when throws are in front of him
  • Shows flashes of aggression to become better in run support
  • Dangerous off the edge as kick blocker
Weaknesses
  • Lacks consistent competitive nature
  • Motor runs hot and cold in run support
  • Content to allow catches in front of him without squeezing the route
  • Below-average ball skills and instincts lead to abysmal ball production
  • No interceptions and only eight passes defensed over two years
  • Rarely finds football once back is to the passer
  • Slow to gather feet and trigger on throws from off coverage
  • Rare to see him track ball or challenge at the high point
  • Speedsters eat his cushion and fly by him on go routes
  • Lacks top-end makeup speed to run down mistakes
  • Below-average route anticipation to stay connected
Click to expand...
 
Lucky said:
Link

300+ prospect links with commentary by Lance Zierlein. Not quite completed and jumping from position lists is wonky. But, it has a lot of insight and opinion. Here's Zierlein's take on Kentucky CB Lonnie Johnson.
Click to expand...

See this is what gets me about thses reports.

Positive- Long tall, track athlete with long arms

Negatives- lacks top end speed.

How can an accomplished track athlete lack top end speed.

Seems like what BOB was saying he was looking for in a CB. Speed

I liked Johnson as much as any CB at the Sr. Bowl and think he will be there in the 3rd rd. I do like Isiah Johnson more in the 3rd. They are similar players in that they are rangy and fast, but Johnson has better hands according to LZ. Plus since Isiah Johnson is new to the position he has more room to grow. Both have starters potential as outside CB's and would both be better off as Zone CB's. Although I think both can play man adequately.
 
I went back and looked at CBs 40 times that were above 4.50 over the last 10 drafts. I saw 13 that became from solid starters to All Pros (Sherman, Norman, and Peters). So there are guys like that out there. But you have a better chance with guys running sub 4.5. Running 4.40 or less, even better. Among those taken in Rounds 1 and 2, only 6 of 26 became busts. Some of the successful speedsters are Peterson, Gilmore, Slay, Lattimore, and Denzel Ward from last year's draft. At CB, speed does matter.
 
How great is the internet? You want to know what Lonnie Johnson did in HS track? The internet can tell you.

Lonnie Johnson PR 100m - 10.91
Lonnie Johnson PR Long Jump - 23'6"

I don't think John Ross is worried about Lonnie breaking his combine record. But I bet Johnson runs a sub 4.5.

Edit: Because I know steelb is wondering, here is Isiah Johnson's track page. Isiah's 100m PR is 10.62.
 
Last edited:
Lucky said:
I went back and looked at CBs 40 times that were above 4.50 over the last 10 drafts. I saw 13 that became from solid starters to All Pros (Sherman, Norman, and Peters). So there are guys like that out there. But you have a better chance with guys running sub 4.5. Running 4.40 or less, even better. Among those taken in Rounds 1 and 2, only 6 of 26 became busts. Some of the successful speedsters are Peterson, Gilmore, Slay, Lattimore, and Denzel Ward from last year's draft. At CB, speed does matter.
Click to expand...
Two names why speed is especially important for corners: TY Hilton & Will Fuller. Both of those receivers are 4.3 guys and we know from both sides how much damage they can do with their speed. So really no substitute for speed when it comes to consistently covering them in an effective manner. Don't think there's another position in the NFL
where speed is valued at such a high premium.
 
Lucky said:
I went back and looked at CBs 40 times that were above 4.50 over the last 10 drafts. I saw 13 that became from solid starters to All Pros (Sherman, Norman, and Peters). So there are guys like that out there. But you have a better chance with guys running sub 4.5. Running 4.40 or less, even better. Among those taken in Rounds 1 and 2, only 6 of 26 became busts. Some of the successful speedsters are Peterson, Gilmore, Slay, Lattimore, and Denzel Ward from last year's draft. At CB, speed does matter.
Click to expand...

This is why I've got Kendall Sheffield high on my list of guys in the 2nd rd. I might even trade up to get him. I think after the combine he might move up to late 1st early 2nd, with his speed/Ohio St. pedigree.
 
steelbtexan said:
This is why I've got Kendall Sheffield high on my list of guys in the 2nd rd. I might even trade up to get him. I think after the combine he might move up to late 1st early 2nd, with his speed/Ohio St. pedigree.
Click to expand...

You'd trade up for a decent ham sandwich..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top