Steelers 2023 NFL Draft Targets - Safety Antonio Johnson Texas A&M

Welcome to the pre-draft season! Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up…

Steelers’ Draft Prospect: Antonio Johnson (Safety), Texas A&M, Junior

OVERVIEW: In the last two drafts, the Steelers have selected a trio of prospects from Texas A&M. This trend began with Dan Moore Jr. and Buddy Johnson in 2021 and followed with DeMarvin Leal in 2022. We could chalk this up to being a simple coincidence or something head coach Mike Tomlin and the scouting office have been following for the past few years. At any rate, there is a defensive Swiss-army knife available in 2023 that Tomlin seems to have a keen eye for who is starting to ascend up draft boards. This is a prospect who is able to play all over the field and can be groomed into whatever Tomlin and the Steelers need. His name is Antonio Johnson.

PROS: Johnson’s size alone flies off the charts looking at the listed safety position. At 6’3” and 195 pounds, Johnson is a tall body on defense. Although he is listed as a safety, but saw a lot of time close to the line of scrimmage in college and was tasked with slot coverage inside the box. Tomlin likes seeing young defensive players being versatile and Johnson is exactly that. He’s able to be that physical rusher on the edge to give the defensive line time to get to the ball carrier, yet still cover slot receivers and athletic tight ends in pass coverage. In 2022 alone, Johnson tallied three forced fumbles. In the last two seasons, he’s posted 14 tackles for loss. This fits well within the Steelers’ defensive zone scheme.

Johnson’s skill of diagnosing plays is something that flies under the radar. He can start plays ten yards off the line of scrimmage and rush up to make the tackle in the backfield. Johnson relies on his instincts to make plays and they’re usually correct. He has a quick internal processor to read crossing routes and force himself into the throwing lane of the quarterback. On run plays, he’s a downhill tackler and is an effective seal to more mobile quarterbacks. Johnson brings that blend of coverage, tackling, and high ceiling for development that scouts like in a college junior. He’s that transactional money-backer player Tomlin has eyes for in a young prospect.

CONS: While his size is much more favorable, Johnson is similar to Tre Norwood in relation to positional placing. Johnson is listed as a safety, but plays like a slot corner, with the physique of an undersized linebacker. As a part of that, his ball skills are lacking for a safety. Although he’s able to pair well with inside receivers, he’s only recorded one interception in his three years in college. His ball skills are a big reason as to why he transitioned from wide receiver to defensive back in high school and what scouts will be watching in his forecasting to the next level.

Johnson has trouble in space and deep down the field. He thrives in the first 10 yards off the line, but beyond that, he struggles. He’s shown inability in pivoting his hips and transitioning from a back pedal to a sprint. Although he won’t be tasked to play that single-high safety role in an NFL defense, he’ll need help over the top on seam routes from the slot or chasing down ball carriers in the second level. Johnson also tends to quarterback-watch longer than he should. This could lead to him getting beat on play-action plays or misdirection plays. Between his lacking ball skills and lead-with-his-shoulder tackling strategy, this may lower his ceiling in the wrong defense.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 2nd Round

Heading into the pre-draft process, Johnson sits at a solid second-round name. Depending on how he tests at his Pro Day later this spring, Johnson could creep into the top 35, but chances are he’ll still be be a day two selection. This isn’t necessarily due to his skill set, as much as it is his positional capabilities. He plays a hybrid of different positions, where teams like to see more firm positional assignments called on the first night of the draft. The fact Johnson’s position is versatile is great for prospecting, but doesn’t bode well in terms of early priority in the draft.

VERDICT: Tomlin and the Steelers have fallen in love with Texas A&M draft prospects lately and Johnson will be no exception. There is a lot of possible transition slated in the Steelers' secondary for 2023 and the strong safety position is heavily included in that. We still don’t know what the future holds for Marcus Allen coming off an injury and Damontae Kazee. Meanwhile, there is only a year left on Miles Killebrew’s current contract and Terrell Edmunds is still unsigned. Outside of Minkah Fitzpatrick, the safety position in Pittsburgh is very much on the edge of change and the Steelers will need young talent to address that. 

In terms of the upcoming draft, the Steelers are fortunate they have two picks in the second round of the draft. With that said, Johnson at the 47th overall selection would be a steal; hands down. But at the 32nd overall pick, that may be a bit earlier than necessary to pull the trigger on Johnson.

Where do you see Johnson going in April?  Would you want to see him in the black and gold?  Let us know in the comments!

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