Robert

Johnson

A fifth-round pick in 2010, Johnson failed to get on the field as a rookie, and will be making his NFL debut if he’s active Sunday. Taking the roster spot of reserve S Anthony Smith, Johnson’s snaps should mostly be limited to special teams.

Yet to play a defensive snap in his short career, Johnson is finally working his way up the depth chart after being selected in the fifth round back in 2010. He’ll replace Anthony Smith, who retired earlier this year. “He’s a guy that definitely we want to see step up this year and contribute,” said coach Mike Munchak.

Johnson’s rookie season was marred by injury and ineffectiveness. Now he’s healthy and standing out as one of the bigger surprises at Titans camp. Babineaux, who piled up 91 tackles and one interception last year, projects to keep the job but Johnson is gaining ground.

Babineaux had 93 tackles in 14 starts last season, so this is an IDP battle to monitor. Johnson, a playmaker at Utah who played sparingly the past two years, is coming on fast with a strong camp. He’s started the past two preseason games, seeming to move ahead of Babineaux. We’d grab Johnson in deep leagues for now.

Robert Johnson was benched and Michael Griffin kicked to free safety. Although coach Mike Munchak said the job will be open to competition “weekly,” this is their best lineup. Michael Griffin was way out of his league trying to play strong safety, and Johnson wasn’t making enough of a difference back deep. Babineaux had five tackles and two pass breakups against the Lions.

Tennessee likes Johnson’s range and play-making ability to go along with Griffin’s athleticism and versatility. Jordan Babineaux will continue to work in as the third safety after leading the team in tackles in 2011. Griffin, admittedly, had an underwhelming game in Week 1 against the Patriots. It’s an IDP situation to monitor.

The reserve safety went down in Sunday’s loss. He’s been placed on injured reserve. Johnson appeared in all 12 games this season, but made only three starts. However, one of those starts was Sunday. Johnson’s injury means Jordan Babineaux should return to the first-team defense. A third-year pro, Johnson is signed through 2013.

Johnson suffered the fracture, along with a torn ligament, in Week 13 last season and hopes to be back on the field by the middle of OTAs sometime in June. The 26-year-old started three games last season before being sent back to a reserve role. With the additions of George Wilson and Bernard Pollard to team with Michael Griffin, Johnson is no higher than the No. 4 safety.

A surprise non-invitee to the Combine, Johnson paced the Utes’ stout defense with six interceptions last season, and completed his D-I career with 13 in three years after transferring from the JUCO ranks. Johnson does not lack starting-caliber ability, so it’s a surprise that he fell all the way to the fifth round. He is solid in the box as well as in centerfield.

ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky suggests the Titans making a run at free agent Bob Sanders. It’s fair to wonder if Hope could lose his roster spot altogether. Though he wasn’t the lone problem in Tennessee’s 2010 secondary, he’s due a $6.5M salary, turns 31 next fall, and wasn’t much of a playmaker last year (one INT, one FF). Robert Johnson is an in-house option to push Hope.