Cowboys draft prospect: Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

The Cowboys appear to be inside the market for talented protection to play across from Xavier Woods inside the lower back cease of the secondary. Dallas ought to look at some unfastened sellers out there, but there are also numerous proficient beginners in this draft elegance. We’ve already scouted Taylor Rapp and Juan Thornhill; however, Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is the participant to be aware of these days.

Gardner-Johnson became a three-yr starter for the Gators, playing everywhere in the area at both protection positions and at the same time as a slot cornerback. Hhas inis no way had less than two interceptions in any of those years. Simply put, Gardner-Johnson is a ballhawk, and he knows it. Looking at his 2018 tape, Gardner-Johnson is aggressive while playing the ball and could in no way not go for the interception, which may be dangerous on occasion. However, he usually made the play in university.

He does his quality insurance work in the sector, especially in zones towards the road of scrimmage. He has a brief burst from his stance that lets him smash at the ba; however, unlike different shielding backs along with his athleticism, he doesn’t chew on routes too early in sector insurance but rather is patient and waits till the ball is out of the quarterback’s hand to make his flow.

Gardner-Johnson wasn’t used too much as a deep safety in the sector at Florida, which is strange because he seems to have the the correct velocity and range that might make him a terrific fit as a center-area kind of guy. His ball competencies aro enough to where you’d think he may want to snag loads greater interceptions in the unmarried high spot.

He isn’t as first-rate in guy coverage, although he’s higher than your average safety. His speed and body give him a high ability as a man insurance defender, specifically with the method Kris Richard teaches. However, Gardner-Johnson’s eagerness to make a play at the ball additionally makes him prone to double moves from receivers in guy coverage. Most of the largsportsys he gave up in university have been due to that. But higher staying power and discipline can clear up that trouble.

With how gifted Gardner-Johnson is in coverage, I became amazed that he is playing the run, too. I didn’t watch the tape from his 2017 season, but reputed Gardner-Johnson made large strides in this street. He takes desirable angles and packs quite a depowers at the back of his hits. He doesn’t regularly omit tackles, but wrap-up competencies and hand usage in tacklinareithe are the most common. Other draft potentialities like Rapp and Thornhill are higher defenders. However, Gardner-Johnson can more than keep his very own.

Gardner-Johnson also confirmed a wonderful capability at rushing the passer as a Blitzer off the edge. He had three sacks closing 12 months, which is not something you usually see from protection. Safety blitzes are an issue that Dallas used semi-frequently for the final 12 months beneath Richard’s watch, and Gardner-Johnson’s potential to get home on those blitzes is valuable; Gardner-johnson is a versatile talent who can make plays anywhere inside the secondary. Suppose the Cowboys had been to get him inside the draft. In that case, he’d pair well with Woods, as each has the flexibility to play each protectiopositionns, slot cornerback, and is available off the road of scrimmage as a Blitzer. Richard and Rod Marinelli might have several fun pairing those two together. The question iwhetherif the Cowboys will also be capable of getting Gardner-Johnsgh. I had hig taken at 61st usual in my first 3-spherical mock draft, with Dallas passing on him to take the 3-approach of the future Renell Wren, whose inventory has been shooting up.

As the draft technique is going on, even though Gardner-Johnson could shoot up draft boards along with his athleticism, he won’t even be to be had at the Cowboys’ 58th pick by the point the draft comes using. However, if the Cowboys determine he’s their guy, they’ll likely use their 2nd spherical selection on him, as Gardner-Johnson shouldn’t remain lengthy.