Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon talks recovery after Senior Bowl injury ahead of NFL Draft
Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon’s path to the NFL Draft continued to not go according to plan on Friday. The former Nittany Lion suffered an injury at the Senior Bowl. NFL.com reported at the time that “Although Dixon’s injury is not considered serious, requiring only stretching and icing, he was set to finish up his team interviews on Wednesday night and leave Mobile, ending his week.” However, he did not work out at the NFL Combine and did not take the field at Penn State Pro Day with his other teammates in State College.
“I feel like I proved within the last year that I’m one of the best corners,” Dixon said Friday. “I’m a versatile corner. … I understand that my time isn’t right now. I’m going to get the chance to show who I am. It’s just later on. And, that’s OK. I’m really big into my faith and believe God has a plan for me. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Dixon said that he suffered a hip injury in Mobile. The nature of it is not unclear. But what is clear is that his pre-draft process is not going as expected after he opted out of the Peach Bowl to prepare for the pros. He said Friday he is 2-3 weeks away from working out again. But, the issue did not require surgery.
Dixon must hope his tape holds up
“I did want to give one of our guys some love because I don’t think he’s getting enough attention for how well he is playing,” Lions coach James Franklin said in October. “It really started in training camp and has continued, and that’s Johnny Dixon. I think Johnny is playing really good football. I think we have two corners – we have more than that but two corners in Johnny and Kalen that are tough guys and that are physical at that position, which is less common now than it used to be.
“They do a really good job in a lot of different ways, not just defending the pass. Johnny is a great blitzer, then also supporting the run. So, I wanted to give him some love because it’s deserved.”
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Dixon will have to hope that praise, and what he put on film over 59 games and 34 starts between stints at Penn State and South Carolina, where he started his career, will lead him to find an NFL home.
NFL.com currently gives Dixon an average back-up or special teamer grade. It means he will go toward the end of Day 3, at best.
“Feisty man cover cornerback with above-average competitiveness in coverage but missing some key attributes that might be necessary for true NFL success,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein writes. “Dixon gives out bumpy rides against press release and does a nice job of creating coverage leverage with his footwork. But, he struggles to get his hips opened when crossed up or when flipping to match a vertical route. He has below-average speed deep but can smother routes with physicality and ball skills when he stays attached. His technique and effort as a tackler needs to improve. The cover skills are fine. But, questionable NFL speed and fluidity could create too many coverage inconsistencies as a pro.”
