Scouting report

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Saints CB Information for this report was obtained from NFL scouts. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 5-11, 210 pounds, is in his second season with the Saints after they drafted him in the fourth round out of Florida in 2019. He played in all 16 games as a rookie with seven starts, making 46 tackles with eight passes defensed. Gardner-Johnson has emerged as the team’s nickel back this season and is a versatile chess piece in the secondary for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Gardner-Johnson saw extensive work in the Bears-Saints meeting last season when he was targeted 12 times in the passing game. The Bears completed seven passes against him but for a total of only 21 yards as he excelled being matched up on running back Tarik Cohen. Gardner-Johnson had six tackles, two for a loss, and two passes broken up that day.

“He’s a really good fit for what Dennis Allen likes to do because of his style,” the scout said. “He’s an aggressive player, and the versatility he adds as a coverage defender, as a player who can play in space and matchup versus running backs, tight ends and slot wide receivers. This guy can really do a lot. They’re listing him at nickel, but he really does everything for them. He can play in dime package like an overhang linebacker. I look at him as a slot safety, and he’s a good blitzer. They use him as an extra pass rusher.

“He’s the one that got in the practice scuffle with Michael Thomas, and who knows what went down with that. This is a nice scheme fit for the kid, but I thought this secondary would be a lot better this year. They’re giving up plays down the field, they’re letting guys run wide open. They’ve got to get on the same page and be much more disciplined. They have talent, lots of it, with Marshon Lattimore, excellent mancoverage corner, Marcus Williams, great range at the safety position, and this secondary hasn’t put it together. Maybe this is their get-right game because the Bears sure as heck aren’t throwing the ball.”