Fifth-round pick Antonio Johnson transforms into a defensive cornerstone as his steady improvement fuels the Jaguars' secondary, showcasing a rare homegrown talent.
Every NFL Draft produces stars at the top and surprises further down the board.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the best value picks from the 2023 draft is proving to be former Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson, a fifth-round selection who has quietly developed into a dependable - and increasingly impactful - defender.
Johnson entered the league with intrigue but modest expectations. His time at Texas A&M showcased flashes of dominance mixed with inconsistency, making him more of a long-term project than an instant contributor.
Still, at 6-2 with range, physicality, and a willingness to tackle, the raw ingredients were obvious. Jacksonville believed in the upside, and patience has paid off.
Each season, Johnson has taken a step forward. His snap count and number of starts have climbed year over year, and he’s now logged back-to-back 17-game seasons.
That kind of availability alone matters for a secondary, but the real growth shows up when you dig into the details of his performance.
Safety is one of the most unforgiving positions in football. Mistakes are magnified, angles matter, and missed tackles often turn into touchdowns.
Johnson attacked that learning curve head-on. His missed tackle rate dropped dramatically from 10.5 percent to just 4.9 percent per Pro Football Focus, a clear sign of improved technique and confidence.
In coverage, opposing quarterbacks found less success against him as well, with his coverage grade allowed improving from 73.3 to 60.9.
Those underlying improvements paved the way for a breakout campaign. Through nine starts, Johnson piled up 58 tackles, added two sacks, and snagged five interceptions.
One of those picks went the distance, a pick-six that highlighted his instincts, acceleration, and closing speed. Plays like that are the difference between being a role player and becoming a cornerstone.
What stands out most about Johnson’s rise is how complete his game has become. He’s active in run support, comfortable in coverage, and capable of impacting the quarterback when asked. That versatility has earned him trust within Jacksonville’s defensive scheme and cemented his role in the secondary.
Looking ahead, Johnson is trending toward being one of the Jaguars’ most reliable young defenders.
His development also reinforces a familiar theme around the league. Texas A&M defenders often need time, but when they put it together, they thrive at the next level.
If his current trajectory continues, Antonio Johnson’s best football is still ahead ... and Jacksonville may have found a long-term answer on the back end of its defense.