The best NFL fit for Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson in 2023 NFL Draft

Boards for the 2023 NFL Draft are already getting drawn up, as teams look to get a head start on the next cycle. One of the top safeties early in the process is Texas A&M‘s Antonio Johnson, who PFF has identified as a great fit for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Despite playing in a tough AFC West division, the Chargers are viewed as a solid playoff contender for the near future, thanks to their solid roster. However, contracts are expiring soon in the secondary, meaning Johnson could be a solid option late in the first round.

“Assuming the Chargers don’t go a third straight offensive lineman, there’s really not a lot of holes to poke on the Chargers roster,” PFF said. “The middle of their defense could take a hit after this fall, though, as both their starting safeties and slot corner are impending free agents. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Texas A&M defensive back is capable of filling any and all of those roles. He earned an 88.7 coverage grade in the slot last season.”

Johnson was named AP All-SEC second-team as a sophomore, playing and starting in all 12 games this season. He was second on Texas A&M in tackles, recording 79 while also adding 8.5 tackles for a loss and five pass breakups.

He truly could do it all for the Aggies.

As for his potential fit with Los Angeles, Derwin James is scheduled to be a free agent this upcoming offseason. Viewed as one of the top defensive backs in the league, he could get record-breaking money elsewhere. Three other players across the secondary are scheduled to be unrestricted and free to leave.

It’s early in the process but if everything goes to PFF’s plan, Johnson would have the opportunity to make an impact for the Chargers.

Putting together a solid junior year will be important for Johnson as he looks to transition to the NFL. If he can put up similar results in Year Three as he did in the previous two, teams such as Los Angeles will be fighting to pick him in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was ranked a four-star prospect by the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services. He was the No. 2 safety in the 2020 recruiting class and in just two seasons, he has already lived up to the hype for the Aggies.