Jaylon Johnson didn’t back away from expectations when the Chicago Bears draft him. The cornerback out of Utah knows the team is hoping he can become the needed successor to Prince Amukamara. That suits him just fine. The sooner he can get on the field, the better. When speaking to Carmen and Jurko on ESPN 1000 shortly after the draft, his first goal was to become a starter. It’s the second goal though that is interest.
Johnson said he’s like to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. That is certainly a high bar to shoot for. A Bears player has not won that award in 20 years when Brian Urlacher claimed the honor in 2000. On top of that, it’s historically difficult for cornerbacks to claim that prize. Since 1967 when it was first introduced, the award was won by a corner just seven times. However, one thing working in his favor is its happened twice since 2015. Marcus Peters won it that year and Marshon Lattimore won it in 2017.
So voters are not opposed to giving cornerbacks a serious look these days. For an idea of what Johnson will have to do? Peters had eight interceptions his rookie year. Lattimore had five. That is pretty much the ballpark he’ll have to hit to have a shot. So what does Las Vegas think of his odds? While #2 pick Chase Young is the heavy favorite, Odds Shark believes the Bears rookie has at least an outside chance.
| Chase Young | +200 |
| Isaiah Simmons | +450 |
| Patrick Queen | +900 |
| Jeff Okudah | +1200 |
| Kenneth Murray | +1400 |
| Willie Gay Jr. | +1800 |
| Javon Kinlaw | +2200 |
| Derrick Brown | +2500 |
| Julian Okwara | +2500 |
| Xavier McKinney | +2800 |
| Jordan Elliott | +3000 |
| AJ Epenesa | +3000 |
| CJ Henderson | +3500 |
| Grant Delpit | +3500 |
| Kristian Fulton | +4500 |
| Jaylon Johnson | +5000 |
| Troy Dye | +5500 |
| Trevon Diggs | +5500 |
| Akeem Davis-Gaither | +6600 |
| Curtis Weaver | +10000 |
| Ashtyn Davis | +10000 |
| Marlon Davidson | +10000 |
Jaylon Johnson is in perfect position to make a run
Plenty of draft experts felt that Johnson was the best pick of the draft for Chicago. They saw him as a 1st round talent who slipped down boards because of multiple shoulder injuries in college. In truth, this was probably a blessing in disguise for him. Not only did he land in a system tailor-made for his skillset, but he’ll also be working under Chuck Pagano who is a renowned defensive back specialist.
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If that weren’t enough, he gets to play behind quite a front seven. The Bears were busy this offseason reinforcing their pass rush. Leonard Floyd is out. Robert Quinn is in. Quinn had 11.5 sacks last season. He’ll be joining Khalil Mack and a healthy Akiem Hicks. On paper that has the look of a devastating pass rush. One Johnson could take full advantage of when considering that need for multiple interceptions.
Johnson couldn’t ask for a better setup to start his career.
