NFL Free Agency: Grading safety Jeron Johnson

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jeron Johnson (23) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins GM, Scot McCloughan, is meeting with Seahawks reserve S, Jeron Johnson to fill a spot for the Redskins. Johnson has only started one game in his 4 seasons in the NFL, all with Seattle. That game was in Seattle’s week 10 blowout win over the Giants last season.

Kam Chancellor missed the game against New York and Johnson filled in at SS. I went back and watched every play that Johnson played on defense in the game. I was particularly interested in Johnson’s coverage ability.

Seattle has 2 pro-bowl level safeties in Chancellor and Earl Thomas, so it is very difficult for a young player to get plays on defense. Therefore, Johnson has spent most of his 4 years in Seattle playing special teams. He has done well on ST and finally got a chance to show what he can do at S.

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Jeron Johnson is only 5-10 and is a compact 212 lbs. He looks small next to the 6-3, 232 lb, Chancellor. What Johnson does have over Chancellor is a more fluid coverage ability and ability to change direction.

Johnson was used often to cover Giants TE, Larry Donnell, who torched the Redskins for 3 TDs just 6 weeks before his game versus Seattle. Johnson and the Seahawks held Donnell to 4 catches for only 26 yards. Johnson led the Seahawks with 8 tackles as he continually wrapped up the receiver after a short gain.

Johnson played very well in the run game. He is a good tackler and was used in the box very often in the first half and scored a 0.88 rating versus the run. Johnson’s run defense would have been rated much higher except for a bad stretch early in the second quarter that included a missed tackle on a TD run by the Giants RB, Andre Williams.

Johnson had an excellent 1.16 rating versus the pass in the game. Some credit goes to Seattle’s sound defensive philosophy and coaching that had Johnson in the correct position play after play. He had no bad plays in the pass game.

Johnson has fluid hips which allow him to change direction

Johnson had a chance to play deep safety often in the second half. The Seahawks had Thomas sprint down to play shorter zones and Johnson would drop back to the deep zone. He scored a 1.10 on those plays but was never challenged on a deep pass.

It is impossible to judge Johnson on only one start. I do like what I saw of him in man coverage and I think he could be a big improvement on what the Redskins currently have at SS when it comes to covering slot receivers. Johnson has fluid hips which allow him to change direction and stay with the receiver he is covering.

The Redskins are in dire need of help at FS also. There has been speculation that DeAngelo Hall could be moved there if he recovers well from his Achilles tear. Johnson could be in the mix there as well.

My thoughts on Johnson at FS are mixed. Seattle was willing to put him in deep coverage 10 times in the fourth quarter and that shows they faith in him. He also played in 2 deep coverage with Thomas 10 times during the game.

I like what I have seen of Johnson and I hope the Redskins and McCloughan sign him

Johnson is smaller than desired in a FS. At 5-10, he would have a size disadvantage versus most receivers he would be covering. He did not show any great leaping ability versus New York and that is essential for a smaller defender.

Johnson had the only pass defensed of his career on a nice break-up versus Donnell in the first quarter. New York probably wanted to challenge Johnson in man to man coverage and he held up well. Johnson has no INTs in his short career except for one in the 2012 pre-season.

I like what I have seen of Johnson and I hope the Redskins and McCloughan sign him to a moderate contract for 3 years and $6-7 million. He is worth the risk despite the low amount of playing time sitting behind 2 of the best safeties in the NFL. The Redskins have had a big need at S since the passing of Sean Taylor and it is time to fill that need.

Next: Scot McCloughan's To Do List: Part 5 - Defensive Backs

Next: Redskins Draft: NFL Free Agency Impact - Quarterback

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