Understand this. Through the first four games of 2020, Jaylon Johnson has allowed just 12 completions on 29 targets including seven passes defended. Two of which led directly to their victory on opening day. Opposing quarterbacks have a pedestrian 63.7 passer rating when throwing in his direction. Keep in mind this list of QBs includes Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, and Philip Rivers.
By rights, none of this should be happening. Johnson arrived in Chicago as a 2nd round pick. He was robbed of a full offseason by COVID-19. He even didn’t get a ton of reps to start training camp because he was still recovering from shoulder surgery. To go from that to one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL at one of the hardest positions in the league to play? That’s amazing.
Even his own teammates can’t believe it. Buster Skrine told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune as much.
“I’m definitely surprised he’s been able to step in and do as well as he’s doing. The thing I can say about Jaylon is there are no ups and downs with him. Jaylon is the same all the time. The way he is in practice, like laid-back and confident, he’s the same way in the game. Step in the huddle, he looks the same exact way…
…I would say a lot of guys when they’re younger, it’s about being able to give up a play and then step back out there and make a play afterward. Because a lot of guys come from college, (where) they’re the best thing on the field. When you come into the NFL, you have receivers who are the best on the field too, so they’ll make a play sometimes. Just to see him be so consistent and believing in himself is pretty special.”
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The sky truly is the limit for Jaylon Johnson
Skrine is somebody who knows what he’s talking about. Not only has he played in the NFL for 10 seasons himself, he’s had the privilege of playing alongside some truly great cornerbacks. There was Joe Haden during his time in Cleveland and then he worked with New York Jets ace Darrelle Revis as well. So when he calls Johnson special like that? It’s noteworthy.
If the rookie is this good right now, there is no telling how much better he’ll be in the next one or two years. He and Kyle Fuller could form a dangerous tandem and it doesn’t feel like a stretch that he could be one of the ton corners in the NFL sooner than later.