Bears retool secondary, add corner Jaylon Johnson

The Chicago Bears selected cornerback Jaylon Johnson out of Utah in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 50th overall.

The Bears currently have Kyle Fuller, Buster Skrine, and the recently acquired Artie Burns at corner. Prince Amukamara left through free agency.

Chicago owned the eighth-ranked pass defense last season.

Prospect Profile

School: Utah
Height: 6-0
Weight: 193 lbs

Positives

• Solid size and athleticism
• Possesses the physicality, aggressiveness, and tenacity to succeed in the NFL
• Excellent instincts and desire to challenge for interceptions
• Broke up 15 passes over last two seasons
• Extremely consistent production while never allowing a passer rating over 58 in a single season since 2017
• Good press technique and strength at the line of scrimmage
• Fantastic ball-tracking skills and good burst to the target
• Can stick with receivers in man coverage all over the field
• Effective tackler and can help out in run defense

Negatives

• Below average deep speed
• Doesn't possess ideal height and length for every scheme
• Can give too much room to receivers early in route due to tight hips
• Aggressive nature makes him susceptible to double moves

Bottom Line

Johnson wasn't in the national spotlight the way some of his 2020 peers were last season, but the Utah product is one of the more intriguing cornerback prospects in this class. The talented defender offers instincts that simply can't be coached. However, his aggressive nature could burn him in the NFL when it's ill-timed. But once Johnson sorts that part of his game out, he profiles as a starting-caliber corner in a zone-heavy defense, or one that allows him to seal the perimeter and press against physical X receivers.