Washington Football Team 7-round mock draft: Rolling with Taylor Heinicke
By Ian Cummings
Round 7, Pick 245 – Indiana S Jamar Johnson
Ar’Darius Washington, from a talent perspective, has what it takes to win the Washington Football Team’s free safety job. But because he’s also a versatile player whose other roles shouldn’t go unused, and because his size creates some uncertainty, safety is a good position for Washington to double-dip at in this mock draft.
With their final selection, the Washington Football Team adds more talent to the safety room, this time picking up Indiana defensive back Jamar Johnson.
Johnson is an underrated safety option in the 2021 class, and he presents some solid upside at this juncture. A former three-star prospect, Johnson stands at around 6-foot-1, 197 pounds. He has good size, and in 2020, he flashed playmaking instincts on top of that, amassing 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, four interceptions, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble in just eight games.
Perhaps best known for picking off future top-ten pick Justin Fields twice in Indiana’s game against Ohio State, Johnson has impressive utility as a true junior. On film, his instincts and ball skills are apparent, but he’s also a decent athlete. I don’t think he has top-end speed, but he’s fairly fluid and quick out of his direction changes, and he has the versatility to play in the slot, as well as in two-high.
In a few ways, Johnson reminds me vaguely of Kamren Curl, though stylistically, Johnson is more of a coverage player. His lean frame might limit his ability to stuff players in the box like Curl does, but Johnson has enough coverage utility to warrant a pick here. His tackling ability also indicates that he could produce on special teams, while the free safety position settles.
Next. Best non-Trevor Lawrence QB prospects in the 2021 draft. dark
Which mock do you prefer? This one, where WFT savior Taylor Heinicke gets the talent he needs to thrive? Or the last one, where Washington nabs its franchise quarterback while also incubating him with talent, as well as adding a bonafide free safety? Or would you prefer that I scrap both mocks and start from square one? (Joke’s on you — there’ll be more mocks anyway). Let me know in the comments section below!