Chicago Bears: Jaylon Johnson poised for a breakout rookie season

Jaylon Johnson is looking to make noise in his rookie year for the Chicago Bears.

 Jaylon Johnson was drafted in the 2nd round (50th overall) in the 2020 draft. With the departure of Prince Amukamara in free agency, the Chicago Bears were left with a hole to fill this offseason. They did add veteran corner Artie Burns, but with the news of his season-ending injury, they will need a new second corner on the outside. Enter rookie Jaylon Johnson, who already was coming into the season with high expectations.

With another veteran cornerback, Buster Skrine, primarily playing out of the slot, that leaves Johnson and Kevin Tolliver to battle it out for that number two corner slot. I personally feel that is Jaylon’s spot to lose, given how high the Chicago Bears drafted him. The former Utah defensive back had first-round talent but fell in the due to injury concerns.

The Chicago Bears clearly have an extremely talented defense. Just in the defensive backfield playing with guys like, Eddie Jackson, and Kyle Fuller, both of whom have been Pro Bowlers at one point. Also getting to learn from veteran safety Tashaun Gipson, who has the potential to be an under the radar signing, in my opinion.

Of course, you can’t mention the Chicago Bears defense without mentioning the studs up front. Kahlil Mack and Akiem Hicks are legit game-changers who opposing offensive coordinators need to game plan for. Add a talented linebacking core into the mix and that should open many opportunities for the first year corner.

As with many young players, there will be growing pains. Good quarterbacks are going to look to attack Jaylon early on to see what he can do. His own teammate Kyle Fuller took a few years to truly break out as a legit number one corner. However, there are currently some fantastic young cornerbacks in the league, and I firmly feel Jaylon will be one of them no time.