2023 7th Round Pick #242 S Anthony Johnson Jr.

[Joemailman]

S
Anthony Johnson Jr.
6'0"
205 lbs
Iowa State

Pre-Draft Analysis
Johnson is at his best matching up with tight ends and driving on underneath routes. He had two picks in 54 starts, so he's not a ball hawk, but both picks came after he moved from corner to safety last year. Johnson steps up, squares to the ball carrier and wraps up when filling in on run support. -- Steve Muench

[King Friday]

This feels like Gute taking a guy so he doesn’t have to answer specific questions about what positions he ignored in the draft. At least he’ll probably have use on special teams if he makes the roster.

That highlight package was about as lame as I’ve seen for a guy who was actually drafted into the NFL. He has more screen time doing warmups than actual play between the lines.

[Joemailman]

This feels like Gute taking a guy so he doesn’t have to answer specific questions about what positions he ignored in the draft. At least he’ll probably have use on special teams if he makes the roster.

That highlight package was about as lame as I’ve seen for a guy who was actually drafted into the NFL. He has more screen time doing warmups than actual play between the lines.

He's a project. Played just 1 year at safety after being converted from CB.

[NewsBruin]

S Anthony Johnson Jr.
6'0" 205 lbs Iowa State

Pre-Draft Analysis
Johnson is at his best matching up with tight ends and driving on underneath routes. He had two picks in 54 starts, so he's not a ball hawk, but both picks came after he moved from corner to safety last year. Johnson steps up, squares to the ball carrier and wraps up when filling in on run support. -- Steve Muench

That sounds so weird to be a converted cornerback whose best skills are matching up with TEs.

[HarveyWallbangers]

This guy had a lot of support in the scouting community. He was the consensus #14 S and had a lot of 5th/6th round grades. I wasn't that high on him (had a 7th round grade on him), but he's certainly one of the more athletic safeties in this class. He just moved to safety this year, so maybe the Packers see possible growth in his game.

[run pMc]

I guess he's a really good guy and a very good athlete and they need safeties, but I couldn't find much on him.
Watched ISU vs. TX. He can play ST and if you need a body to play a deep zone he's ok, but he's not particularly physical or instinctive.
It's a R7 flier on a guy who might pan out as a backup with coaching.

[run pMc]

So I've heard several of these sports analysts and media types raving about this kid, saying he could be starting for GB this year. I'll have to go back and find some more ISU film, but he was apparently rated much higher than where he was drafted. I think PFF had him at #90 overall on their board.

[Jaire]

Who else do we have to start?


..... we have 3 first rounders in the secondary. DC has no excuses.

[run pMc]

I think Savage and Rudy Ford are likely penciled in as the starters as of today.
It's likely by week 8 a different pair of safeties are starting.

This team isn't a starting safety away from the Super Bowl, most of these guys are at least as good as MD Jennings, I'm going to try not to worry about it.

[texaspackerbacker]

I still think or at least hope we retain Adrian Amos.

This Johnson guy seems like he might be a prospect for Slot Corner or maybe a sixth DB in passing situations - lining up to cover the TE. He's supposed to be a sure tackler and run stopper, so if he's subbing in for a LB, that's what you want.

[Fritz]

My guess is that if Amos isn't signed before the Packers work out Rashan Gary's extension, they'll re-sign Amos (Hell, they're already paying him in dead money anyway) and make-do with the hodge podge they've got at that position. Then in next year's draft, they'll draft a couple of safeties and try to really re-work that position.

We'll see what this Johnson kid can do. I'm hoping he'll be a pleasant surprise, and not another Shemale Jean Claude Van Damme.

[texaspackerbacker]

Does anybody know for sure how it would work if Amos is re-signed? Counted double against the cap OR the dead money overlapping with the amount he is paid?

[run pMc]

Amos would count double, since the void years already hit, and he'd be back on a new contract.
Wouldn't be shocked if they go into OTA or even camp and let the current crop of safeties fight it out and wait until then to bring him back if he hasn't signed and the rest are trash.

If you aren't signed with a team a week after the draft there's probably a reason.

[Fritz]

True. Green Bay can't be the only NFL team that could use some safety help. The fact that no one's signed him yet means he really is seen as a stop-gap.

But Green Bay needs a stop gap. Maybe Amos is waiting because he's hoping an aspiring, for-real Super Bowl contender will show an interest in him.

[RashanGary]

Amos had such a weird career. He was good for the Bears, but they didn’t really want to keep him. He was good for the Packers and now they don’t really want to keep him.

He’s stubborn, opinionated and stirs the pot on Twitter. I wonder if he’s not the greatest lockerroom guy??

His quality of play is similar to a Mark Tauscher or John Kuhn. He’s a good starter. You’d think one of the teams he played for would have wanted to keep him around.