The Indianapolis Colts will be entering the offseason looking to add some depth and talent to the safety room. Should they look to the 2019 NFL Draft, Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson would be a nice addition to the secondary.
An aspect the Colts emphasize when looking for defensive players is versatility. If there is one part of Gardner-Johnson’s game he does best, it’s filling multiple roles in the secondary.
“I’m the most versatile DB in this draft,” Gardner-Johnson said at the NFL combine. “That’s how I feel. I’m not doubting nobody else, that’s just how I feel from what I’ve done in the past at Florida and what I put on tape.”
He’s not wrong. Gardner-Johnson has the skill set and versatility to be the top safety taken in the draft. He can line up as a deep half-safety, in the box and in the slot. He can work in both man coverage and zone coverage while providing solid tackling ability.
The Colts have a massive need at the safety position. Outside of Malik Hooker, they have three safeties that are pending free agents. Matthias Farley is a restricted free agent and should be expected to return, but he’s a pending free agent nonetheless.
“It’s big because you can put me anywhere. I’m not limited to one position. I can be in for base I can be in for nickel,” Gardner-Johnson said. “I can be in for nickel and cover down in the slot, be in the post, come off the hash, I can do anything coach puts me at no matter where I go.”
The Florida product moves smoothly and doesn’t waste many steps. He’s also got admirable ball skills having recorded nine interceptions over the last three seasons.
The Colts will be working on adding depth to the safety position this offseason and should they want to add versatility and an immediate contributor, Gardner-Johnson is one of their best bets.
