Summary

Antonio Johnson was selected in the Round 5 (#160 Overall) in the 2023 Draft out of Texas A&M University. With the Aggies, Johnson totaled 164 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, and an interception, earning First-Team All-SEC honors in 2022 and Second-Team All-SEC in 2021. As an NFL safety through the 2025 season, Johnson has played in 42 games with ~114 tackles, 3 sacks, 9 passes defensed, and 4 interceptions — showing growth in both run support and coverage. Character-wise, he’s known for his size, physical playing style, and versatility to line up in various safety roles and contribute as core four special teamer.

Strengths

• Hybrid versatility & instincts: Johnson has proven to become a chess piece in the secondary capable of lining up in the slot, playing near the line of scrimmage as a linebacker, or dropping into deeper zones. His ability to process and react quickly in run support and underneath coverage is a standout trait.

• Physicality & run‑support ability: Johnson is a linebacker in a defensive back’s body as evidenced in his willing in tackling, shedding blocks, and playing with aggression against the run.

• Ball skills & coverage fluidity: Johnsons does show a knack of being in the right place a the right time to make plays on the ball and collect turnovers despite limited starting opportunities. His ability to analyze and diagnose in zone coverage continues to improve as he gets more reps through injuries to starters.

• Athleticism for his size: At 6′2″ with near‑corner movement ability, he brings a rare combination of size, fluidity, and range for his role. His archetype has allowed current Jaguars defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile, to utilize him in a wide variety of ways to win match up opportunities.

Weaknesses

• Deep coverage / long‑speed concerns: While strong in the short and intermediate game, Johnson’s ability to consistently handle deep zone coverage and ultra‑fast receivers can be flagged as a weakness.

• Patience and proclivity to “bite” on routes: Johnson does a good job of trusting his preparation, eyes and instincts, but will fall prey to double moves and other savvy routes from veteran or experienced receiver who want to take advantage of his aggressiveness.

• Consistency in tackling and space‑play: Johnson will occasionally hesitate or miscalculate angles in open‑field tackling or when required to cover a lot of ground.

• Role clarity & projection: Because he has played a variety of roles (slot corner, strong safety, nickel, box defender), he may end up a victim of “jack of all trades, master of none” without a clear path to stick as an every down starter despite grading out well in spot duty.

Outlook

Johnson is best suited for a defensive scheme that uses multiple sub‑packages, allows him to roam, attack downhill, and use his hybrid nature (slot coverage + box defender). He will most thrive in roles where he is not the deepest free safety all the time, but rather a play‑maker around the line or in the slot. If Johnson can continue to develop his deep coverage skills, add a bit more strength, and refine his tackling consistency, his ceiling is a starting safety/hybrid who can be impactful in multiple roles. His floor remains a valuable rotational player and special teamer with niche strengths — particularly in nickel/slot and box coverage.