Jamar

Johnson

Johnson will get a late start to training camp after spending 10 days on the COVID list. The rookie fifth-rounder is expected to compete for the No. 3 safety role behind Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.

Rookie CB Kary Vincent will also be placed on the team’s COVID-19 list. Johnson (6'0/205) looked comfortable roaming as a centerfielder with Indiana, proving he could roll down closer to the box to serve as an effective blitzer and run defender. Johnson’s game can run hot-and-cold, but if he can iron out that inconsistency, Johnson can be a do-everything type immediately if available by camp’s end.

Johnson (6'0/205) has the tools to become one of this class’ legit do-it-all safeties. In his past two seasons, Johnson earned back-to-back first-team Big Ten honors while picking off six passes and racking up four sacks. Two of those picks were against Ohio State last season, which meant Johnson played a major hand in dealing QB Justin Fields one of his worst career performances. Indiana’s defense often asked Johnson to play from split-field alignments, which he did with impressive vision and click-and-close ability, but the two-year starter also looked quite comfortable roaming as a centerfielder. Moreover, Johnson proved he could roll down closer to the box to serve as an effective blitzer and run defender. Johnson’s game can run hot-and-cold, but if he can iron out that inconsistency, Johnson can be a do-everything type.