Washington Football Team reportedly keeping CB Danny Johnson
By Ian Cummings
The Washington Football Team is making the trim down to 53 players today, and one of the many cluttered positions demanding attention is cornerback.
The Washington Football Team has an assortment of locks at the cornerback position, as Kendall Fuller, Ronald Darby, Jimmy Moreland, and Fabian Moreau should all see substantial playing time as members of the starting rotation. But after that, there was a lack of clarity, as to who else who be retained.
Ryan Lewis was cut earlier today, knocking out one candidate to serve as cornerback depth, but several other players with utility as backups still remained. And now, it’s being reported that one unheralded cornerback will stay. Per The Athletic’s Ben Standig, former undrafted free agent and third-year cornerback Danny Johnson will be kept on the initial 53-man roster.
CB Danny Johnson is making Washington’s
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 5, 2020
53 per source.
Dropped him from my final because of recent injuries, but he looked good earlier in camp.
Probably one CB spot remains open for Stroman, Colvin, Thomas
Johnson flew under the radar this year, but he has a habit of beating the odds. He made the initial roster as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and served some time as a backup cornerback and a return man. In 2019, after starting the season on the PUP list, Johnson started two games and logged a pass deflection in limited action.
In 2020, other cornerbacks such as Greg Stroman and Aaron Colvin got more press throughout training camp, with Stroman logging interceptions on a regular basis and Colvin providing veteran experience. But Johnson must have impressed the coaches in his own right.
Johnson certainly has the skill set to produce if given the opportunity. Much like Jimmy Moreland, Johnson is an undersized playmaker who came from an FCS school and racked up stats in college. While playing at Southern University, Johnson logged 16 total interceptions and 39 pass deflections over four years, and was a frequent All-SWAC honoree.
Johnson also put up very impressive numbers at his pro day back in 2017. At 5-foot-9,190 pounds, he recorded a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical jump, and a 123-inch broad jump.
Next. Tracking Washington's 2020 roster cut down. dark
After two years in the NFL, Johnson is still just 24 years old, and his youth, combined with his athletic upside and returning ability, must have made him a compelling pick for Ron Rivera and the Washington Football Team’s defensive staff. There’s still a chance that the team keeps six cornerbacks, but for now, Johnson’s surprise bid has him set as the fifth.