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The self-titled “Louisiana Pimp Dog” is a four-year starter and boundary cornerback whose ball skills and instincts helped him thrive against less talented opponents. Johnson is a tough evaluation because his ball skills are so tempting, but he lacks classic click-and-close man cover traits and he may not be a clean fit as a slot cornerback. Johnson does fit off-man or zone heavy defenses, but he’ll need to become a much more willing participant in run support if he wants to find playing time.
— Lance Zurlein, NFL.com analyst
Johnson isn’t just a fast sprinter as he led the FCS in interceptions in 2016 with seven despite missing three games. That worked out as him recording an interception in every game he played in except for one. Scouts have favorably compared Johnson to other small-school cornerbacks like the Falcons’ Robert Alford and the Jets’ Buster Skrine. They think that Johnson is a tough defender and built to be a nickelback, and will have to compete as a slot corner to make an NFL roster.
— WalterFootball
Already a Redskin
Southern University’s Danny Johnson was not taken in the 2018 NFL draft, but the former Jaguar defensive back will still get a chance to live his dream. He was a participant at the Washington Redskins rookie minicamp May 11 through May 13 wearing a burgundy #20 practice jersey.
Johnson, should have felt at home at the minicamp; he joined fellow Louisiana native Derrius Guice, the running back from LSU who was taken by the Redskins in the second round.
Measurables
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Here’s the film study from our very own Gibbs4potus:
Defensive and special teams skill sets
Danny Johnson reminds me some of a smaller Josh Jackson type of Cornerback. He has great ball skills and plays the ball like a wide receiver when it is in the air (Click here for video - jump to 00:50). He was a four year starter at Southern University.
Johnson’s playmaking skills are also excellent when he gets the ball in his hands. He looks great on punt returns and averaged 17 yards per return in 2017. Johnson returned kickoffs for all four years.
Johnson also is similar to Jackson in that he has a poor backpedal. His knees push out to the sidekick to give him an almost bow legged look. Johnson straightened it up a little for the combine but was very slow with the backpedal.
Here is the play Johnson made to save the game vs South Carolina St:
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Limited film available
There was only one cutup available for Johnson. He has a few highlight reels but they only show the good plays, of course. In reading up on Johnson, scouts have said that he is soft vs the run. I couldn’t verify that because there were few run plays in his cutup.
I don’t like to just rely on a quote from an anonymous scout so I went searching for more cutups of Johnson. I found a cutup of Martez Carter from 2016 vs Southern. Johnson only made one tackle of Carter about 15-20 yards downfield.
Johnson also ran Carter down from behind another time but made the tackle after Carter crossed the goal line. Johnson didn’t appear to mix it up s the run but he didn’t give up either.
How does he fit with the Redskins?
Johnson is a small CB but he has a very thick and muscular frame. I think he will compete for the slot CB role and as a punt/kick returner.
Johnson has an outside shot of making the team if he can play well on special teams. He has a much better chance of being offered a spot on the 10 player practice squad.
Small school, big impact: Why the NFL stage isn't too big for Danny Johnson https://t.co/h4nR7CECXk
— billhorgan (@billhorgan2005) May 10, 2018
Washington Redskins Cornerback depth
Returning players from 2017 Redskins roster
- Josh Norman
- Quinton Dunbar
- Fabian Moreau
- Joshua Holsey
Veteran free agent acquired this off season
- Orlando Scandrick
Draft pick
- Greg Stroman
UDFAs
- Ranthony Texada
Here are some Tweets from Danny Johnson’s Twitter feed:
@Redskins Senior VP of Player Personnel Doug Williams just s/o @SouthernUsports & Grambling in his presser. “Doesn’t matter where a guy comes from— Alabama, Grambling, or Southern. If a guy can play— you go get him.” @D__Johnson10 & @ThatManCarterIV go represent the @theswac!
— Aaron Lee (@aarontlee13) April 30, 2018
You can’t deny me, if I want it, I’ll go get it
— Danny Johnson (@D__Johnson10) April 28, 2018
All in your hands lord! Thank you for even allowing me to be apart of the process
— Danny Johnson (@D__Johnson10) April 28, 2018
Covering @D__Johnson10 NFL Draft watch party as he awaits to hear his name called! #WeAreSouthern #ProwlAsOne #NFLDraft2018 pic.twitter.com/yBjHqKE7gL
— Aaron Lee (@aarontlee13) April 28, 2018
Ty, 13, is an awesome kid, a pediatric #cancer patient & HUGE fan of the @NFL & #NFLDraft2018. @NorthwesternMed Central DuPage Hospital reached out for support, so @StarlightUS & @Ath4Hope teamed up to arrange a special #TysDraftDay surprise just for him. pic.twitter.com/103lvRzSwH
— Athletes for Hope (@Ath4Hope) April 26, 2018
In 10th grade, a text message changed @SouthernUSports CB Danny Johnson’s life forever.
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2018
Now he’s trying to set an example for his biggest fan. pic.twitter.com/8vfwJwwjtt
#Southern #Jaguars CB Danny Johnson (@D__Johnson10) going through a drill at the #NFLCombine #HBCU #SWAC @SouthernUsports pic.twitter.com/cxlHx2akc2
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) March 5, 2018
One guy that I’ll spend more tape time on: CB Danny Johnson @SouthernU_BR - terrific CFB production (16 ints/34 PBU) @NFLDraft #NFLCombine
— Charles Davis (@CFD22) March 5, 2018
Danny Johnson : The Blueprint @D__Johnson10 #2018NFLDraft more coming ❗️ pic.twitter.com/mjEGCzKQhR
— Nico Henry (@showtime_neek) April 2, 2018
♥️ @D__Johnson10 pic.twitter.com/Hq4guE7IoO
— (@maauurrissaa) April 1, 2018
I’ll never forget how I was raised, and how a simple yes ma’am and no sir helped along the way!!
— Danny Johnson (@D__Johnson10) March 1, 2018
Poll
As UDFAs go, rate Danny Johnson
This poll is closed
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24%
A
-
29%
B
-
41%
C
-
4%
D
-
0%
F
Poll
How good are the chances that Danny Johnson is on the Redskins roster in 2018?
This poll is closed
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11%
Pretty strong
-
11%
Above average
-
34%
50/50
-
42%
Unlikely