The New Orleans Saints have made an effort so as to add one thing the protection severely lacked in 2022 – depth within the secondary.

Notable free agent signings included CB Lonnie Johnson Jr., FS Johnathan Abram, and CB Troy Satisfaction Jr. The Saints additionally drafted SS Jordan Howden and CB Anthony Johnson.

When wholesome, the Saints have a powerful cornerback core that has the potential to be a high unit within the league. Marshon Lattimore has constantly confirmed to be a high cornerback within the NFL. After Lattimore’s damage in week 5, rookie Alontae Taylor rose to the event and made a strong case to be the CB2 in 2023.

Past Lattimore and Taylor, Bradley Roby and Paulson Adebo have the potential to supply strong depth at cornerback. Though each gamers have been inconsistent up to now, they actually have a giant position to play within the secondary.

All of this begs the query, the place does Lonnie Johnson Jr., a four-year veteran, match into the New Orleans protection in 2023?

Johnson was drafted within the second spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He instantly made an influence for Houston enjoying fourteen video games in his rookie season. Over three seasons in Texas, Johnson averaged 57 tackles (43 solo) and 4 go deflections per season.

In Might of 2022, he was traded to Kansas Metropolis and was minimize in August In 2022. The very subsequent day, the Tennessee Titans signed the cornerback. As a Titan, Johnson took a slight step again. This was partially on account of a hamstring damage in November that sidelined him for a month. He recorded 11 complete tackles (8 solo) and solely performed in twelve video games, the least quantity in his profession.

The most important energy that Johnson brings to this protection is his versatility. Over his profession, he has performed in just about each place within the secondary from outdoors nook to fit nook and even at security. A flexible depth piece is usually a large weapon on any NFL protection.

The probably spot for Johnson this season is at a slot nook, a place that Dennis Allen has been testing with a number of gamers within the offseason already.

No matter the place he’s on the sector, Johnson’s biggest capability is his physicality in protection. He’s not afraid to protect bigger receivers tightly and aggressively, and his deal with statistics present he’s not too shabby at bringing opponents to the turf. He’s not the ball-hawking nook that may lead the crew in interceptions. Nevertheless, he did report three interceptions in 2021 for Houston.

In conclusion, Lonnie Johnson Jr. might be not a starting-caliber participant on a Saints protection that has a longtime beginning secondary. Nevertheless, his capability to play in a number of secondary positions instantly creates the chance to have vital enjoying time as a non-starter.

Anticipate to see Johnson now and again in sure defensive packages and maybe have vital enjoying time on particular groups or protection if the damage bug bites once more.

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