*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
North Alabama Safety Creates a Buzz
Updated July 19, 2018By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
In every NFL Draft, there are some small-school prospects who prove to be coveted players and end up being early-round selections. North Alabama safety Chris Johnson could continue that trend in 2019, as team sources say that Johnson is a small-school prospect who has impressed evaluators and made their preseason watch list of players who have the potential to be first- through fourth-round picks.
In 2017, Johnson had six interceptions with 50 tackles for a loss and three passes broken up. He has good height and length but needs to add more to his frame. According to data from NFL sources, Johnson checks in at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds. They have him down as running the 40-yard dash at 4.55 seconds with 31.13-inch arms, 9-inch hands, and a 74.13-inch wingspan.
“Chris is talented but needs development,” said one advance scout. “He has outstanding instincts, ball skills, incredible intangibles, lean and needs a year or two to just get bigger. He’s a pure free safety and a weak tackler right now.”
Heading into the 2018 season, some team sources have been underwhelmed with the talent at safety. Thus, Johnson has an excellent chance to be a riser in the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft.
