Is it too early to being looking at the 2027 NFL Draft?
The 2027 NFL Draft is still nearly a year away, but it’s never too soon to begin looking at potential prospects for the San Francisco 49ers. In his way-too-early mock draft, Jordan Reid had a home-run selection for the 49ers in Notre Dame safety Tae Johnson. Johnson’s elite instincts, big-play ability, and athleticism make him an ideal fit in Raheem Morris’s defense.
“Johnson burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman last season, finishing with four interceptions, and he is a candidate to make a big rise in 2026,” Reid wrote. “He's an excellent blend of speed, football IQ and versatility, and his fluid movement ability allows him to be a mistake eraser on the back end. Along with his strong coverage skills, Johnson is an enthusiastic tackler who can make plays against the run.”
As Reid eluded to, Tae Johnson’s superb IQ and instincts make him a premier prospect ahead of the 2026 college football season. He has a knack for always being by the ball. It doesn’t matter if it’s an inside zone run or a deep pass, Johnson is there. This ability largely goes unnoticed, but is one of the biggest traits for a safety to have.
His instincts go hand-in-hand with his big-play ability. As Reid wrote, he had four interceptions in 2025, including one pick-six, and is likely to have a similar impact next season. Johnson has excellent ball skills and reliable hands that allow him to steal 50/50 balls from an opposing receiver.
His spectacular athleticism enables him to make these plays. The six-foot-two, 192-pound safety has blazing long-speed and is a rapid accelerator. This lets him thrive as a free safety and roam the entire field, taking away the deep ball. He’s able to match up against receivers, tight ends, or running backs in coverage and eliminate them from the play.
Additionally, his athleticism makes him extremely versatile. Johnson saw snaps as a free safety, in the box, in the slot, and as an outside cornerback last season. He’s able to line up everywhere on the field, which makes him a chess piece for Raheem Morris.
Overall, it’s too early to seriously entertain options in the 2027 NFL Draft, but Notre Dame safety Tae Johnson is already an enticing prospect for the 49ers. His instincts, big-play ability, and athleticism make him a premier player in college football. Be on the lookout for Johnson to make a major leap during the upcoming season.