‘Forever grateful’
Newly-drafted cornerback Johnson didn’t expect to be around at the 50th pick
As Jaylon Johnson’s NFL draft party celebrated around him Friday night, he sat for a moment on his couch with a straight face. But as he put his new Bears cap on his head, he cracked a smile for the ESPN broadcast.
The Utah cornerback said later he “definitely had some internal things going on” as the Bears selected him with the No. 50 pick in the second round. He was thankful the Bears wanted him, but he also thought he would be off the board a lot quicker.
After having surgery in March to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Johnson was the seventh cornerback selected after six went in the first round.
Some analysts saw him as a first-round prospect, including NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who ranked Johnson as the 29thbest player in the draft and thirdbest cornerback. Jeremiah said on the broadcast it could be argued that while the Bears didn’t have a first-round pick this year, they got two first-round players in Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet and Johnson.
“Definitely as a competitor and the expectations I had for myself, of course I expected to go a lot higher,” Johnson said. “But I wouldn’t necessarily let that confuse (anyone about) my excitement that I have an opportunity to play at the professional level and live out my childhood dream.
“I’m definitely forever grateful for the Bears to be that first team to believe in me and give me an opportunity to be able to provide for my family.”
The Bears took Johnson, a 6-foot, 193-pound native of Fresno,
Calif., to replace three-year starter Prince Amukamara, whom they cut earlier this offseason. Johnson joins a group that includes starter Kyle Fuller and competitors Kevin Toliver, Artie Burns and Tre Roberson.
Johnson played his junior season with the shoulder injury, totaling two interceptions and 13 passes defended and earning second-team All-America honors, even as teams avoided throwing near him. That brought his three-year total to seven interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and 28 passes defended.
He competed at the combine with the injury, including completing 15 reps on the bench press.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace said they were comfortable with the “complete package” on Johnson.
“Jaylon is a really good combination of size, athleticism and awareness,” Pace said. “He’s that physical press corner that uses his size really well, uses his strength to his advantage to reroute receivers.
“Jaylon is a really intelligent player, plays the game with excellent instincts and awareness. You can see it in the way he plays. And Jaylon is another guy with an outstanding football makeup, really high football character, a guy who is really driven and passionate.”
Johnson, who graduated with a business degree in December, described himself as a versatile and well-rounded cornerback who can play multiple coverages, though he would choose press man coverage.
He comes from a family of defensive backs. His father, John, played for Fresno State, and his brother, Johnny, played for UCLA and Fresno State.
“Honestly, I’m a baller,” he said. “I’m a real strong competitor. At Utah, I had to be the No. 1 corner and going out every week and shutting down No. 1 wide receivers. I’m used to getting after it. I’m used to challenging guys. I never shy down from competition. In big games, there was never a time I didn’t show up and make plays.”
The surgery in March was Johnson’s third. He previously had two surgeries on his left shoulder, he said. Because of the NFL’s restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, he said he got a recheck on his shoulder in Fresno and took video to show teams where his recovery stood. He expects to be ready to go for the 2020 season.
Pace said the Bears were “very comfortable” with Johnson’s medical records, noting Johnson missed one game in the last two years.
“This is something that will limit him some in the offseason program, but we feel really comfortable with our doctors and trainers and the work we did on it,” Pace said. “And we expect him to be healthy when we need him.”