Jaylon Johnson hasn’t forgotten that six cornerbacks were taken ahead of him in the 2020 NFL Draft. Earlier this offseason, he spoke about how that motivated him even more to prove those six teams wrong. And after two weeks, he’s certainly doing just that.
While Johnson hasn’t been perfect, he’s been pretty impressive in his first two NFL games.
In fact, about those six cornerbacks taken before him in the draft, Johnson has allowed a lower passer rating (64.2) than all of them. The four cornerbacks taken in the first round — Detroit’s Jeff Okudah, Atlanta’s A.J. Terrell, Las Vegas’ Damon Arnette and Miami’s Noah Igbinoghene — have allowed ratings over 110.
Six cornerbacks were taken before #Bears selected Jaylon Johnson 50th overall.
Out of those top 7, Johnson has allowed the lowest passer rating (64.2).
Four first-round CBs have allowed ratings over 110: Okudah, Terrell, Arnette, and Ibinoghene.
— The Chicago Audible (@ChicagoAudible) September 21, 2020
So far this season, Johnson has allowed three catches on seven targets (42.9%) for 55 yards. He has five pass break-ups and allowed a 64.2 passer rating.
Johnson’s five pass break-ups is the second most by a rookie defender in their first two games since the NFL started trading the stat in 1999. Johnson ranks only behind Marcus Peters, who had seven through his first two games in 2015.
Rookie DB @NBAxJay1 has five PDs in his first two games, that is the second most by a rookie defender in their first 2 games since the league started tracking PDs in 1999. Marcus Peters had 7 through his first 2 games in 2015. @pfref Johnson is second in the NFL in that category.
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 21, 2020
While it’s certainly far too early to call Johnson the winner of that 2020 cornerback class, the early returns on Johnson have been nothing but glowing.
Although, Johnson will face his most difficult test yet as he and Kyle Fuller prepare to take on the juggernaut duo of Falcons receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley this Sunday in Atlanta.
