Texas A&M nickel Antonio Johnson is generally considered to be a first round talent in most of the mock drafts that have come out so far in preparation for the 2023 National Football League draft. Most mocks have players going on the basis of need as opposed to being the best player available which often ends up with selections that are at odds with most projections. For example, former NFL and University of Washington quarterback Brock Huard (who is part of a radio show in Seattle) thinks that there is a player that the Seattle Seahawks might want to set their sights on with a pick towards the back end of the first round even though neither spot (safety or tight end) are considered to be positions of need for the franchise.
“There’s a kid out of (Texas) A&M that I love… Antonio Johnsonthe safety/nickel” said Huard.
“He played some nickel early because they had some safeties,” stated Huard. “He is a killer. He is a 6-foot-3, ‘I want to just tear you apart’ dude. Kind of a Deebo Samuel on defense. So keep an eye on him.”
Johnson came to College Station as a four-star safety in the team’s 2020 recruiting class and saw playing time as a true freshman as an extra defensive back on a unit that finished in the top ten in scoring defense in the final national rankings that year. The Aggies brought back both starting safeties Leon O’Neal and Demani Richardson for the 2021 season but Johnson was considered to be too good to keep on the bench. Thus, the team moved him into the nickel spot (which was occupied by multiple players the season before) and Johnson played a dual role as both a run stopper who could act as a third backer and a slot corner. Despite being smaller than most backers and larger than most nickel defenders, Johnson’s long arms, closing speed, and vision made him almost perfect for the role. He was rated by Pro Football Focus as the nation’s best safety in the college ranks in 2021 with a grade of 88.7. Even though he missed three contests due to injury last year, he still graded out well and earned all Southeastern Conference mention on multiple post season all league teams.
Johnson may have some adjustments to make since he has been the Aggies’ nickel the past two seasons as opposed to a deep safety. However, the position now occupies a spot in most starting lineups due to the proliferation of three receiver sets as an offense’s base look at the next level. Even when teams go to multiple tight end sets, defenses usually don’t counter with a third backer and so nickel personnel such as Johnson tend to stay on the field instead of heading to the bench in those circumstances.
Nevertheless, most teams will be looking for Johnson to transition to the back end of their defense on a full time basis if he is a high draft pick and as Huard indicates could be a great pick up for any team, even one that doesn’t need him on the surface.