Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson shows a great amount of NFL potential. He’s an excellent man coverage defender who has the lean frame and athletic ability to play at a high level in the NFL. He’s stronger than you’d expect for a man of his stature and has quick reaction time when he sees the ball in the air.
One major knock is that he reads the eyes and head movement of receivers too much. He bites on fakes because he is so eager to anticipate the direction changes. Sometimes, he relies on his speed to close the gap after falling for a fake. That worked at the college level, but won’t fly in the NFL. However, these issues are something that solid coaching and NFL experience could help him work out.
Kevin Johnson has enough positives to lure a team into selecting him early in the 2015 NFL Draft. He should be the second corner off the board after Michigan State’s Trae Waynes. Because of that, he could be drafted much earlier that some experts are expecting.
Nov 2, 2013; Syracuse, NY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons cornerback Kevin Johnson (9) warms up prior to a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Combine Measurables:
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 188 pounds
- Arm Length: 31″
- Hand Size: 8.375″
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds
- Bench Press: N/A
- Vertical Jump: 41.5″
- Broad Jump: 130″
- 3 Cone Drill: 6.79 seconds
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 3.89 seconds
- 60 Yard Shuttle: 12.19 seconds
Draft Projection
Kevin Johnson is the #26 overall prospect and the #2 cornerback in the 2015 NFL Draft. He projects as a late first round selection or early 2nd round pick.
NFL Player Comparison
- NFL.com: Sam Shields, Green Bay Packers
- CBSSports.com: Tracy Porter, Washington Redskins
Fit For The Vikings
Minnesota will be looking for a top cornerback in the draft. Kevin Johnson could fill that role if the Vikings select him.
My Take
I actually really like Kevin Johnson. I’d love to see the Vikings be able to get him with their second round selection, but since the cornerback crop is so thin at the top, he may not be available when they select. However, that would be
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