The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone for the Green Bay Packers. They addressed many positions of need during the draft, however, one that was virtually left untouched was the safety position. The Packers only took one safety in the draft and that was in the form of Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round. While there have been many rumors about the Green Bay Packers wanting to retain Adrian Amos, there has been no reported movement by either side. That being said, the Packers are rumored to be interested in a 27-year-old starting-caliber safety.
Green Bay Packers Expected To Pursue Safety John Johnson
According to Freddie Boston of Fansided:
Despite all of the Packers’ safety depth, there is no clear starter opposite Darnell Savage.
Dallin Leavitt, Tarvarius Moore, and Tariq Carpenter mainly play on special teams. Rudy Ford has some starting experience, but he also plays a lot on special teams. Seventh-round draft pick Anthony Johnson Jr. has starting potential, but we shouldn’t expect that in his rookie season.
Signing a veteran safety to a one-year deal could be the answer, and John Johnson would be a good fit. Johnson has 80 career starts for the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns.
He made 32 pass defenses and eight interceptions during his four seasons with the Rams. Matt LaFleur and Joe Barry both spent time as part of the Rams’ coaching staff while Johnson played there.
He would be a smart addition to address a starting position in the secondary.
What makes John Johnson III (27-years-old) especially intriguing for the Green Bay Packers? He played his best football over four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams between 2017 and 2020. Not only was Matt LaFleur in Los Angeles with Johnson in 2017, but Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry was on the defensive coaching staff of the Rams during all four of those seasons. There is very clear connection between Green Bay’s current coaching staff and the 27-year-old safety. Even if the Packers do retain Adrian Amos, this type of signing would be huge for the Packers secondary.
Johnson III, who turns 28 years old in December, could be a quality player in Barry’s split-safety system in Green Bay. The Packers certainly need help at the position, where Adrian Amos and Rudy Ford are free agents and Darnell Savage could be headed to slot cornerback in an effort to revive his career.
In four of the last five years, Johnson played at least 900 snaps. His availability has been incredible during his time in the NFL. When with the Rams, Johnson was excellent in coverage and considered an above-average run defender. According to Pro Football Focus, he broke up 22 passes, intercepted eight more and produced 88 stops while playing in the box, at free safety and even some in the slot.
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