Chicago Bears: Trading back in NFL Draft leads to a retooled offense

Chicago Bears Draft: Round 3, Pick No. 83

This safety class is all over the place for the 2021 NFL Draft. Jamar Johnson has shown many flashes though that he can be a great safety at the next level. The versatile safety showed capabilities to do nearly everything on the football field.

Johnson didn’t see the field much as a freshman as he was just mainly a special teamer. In 2019, he only started one game, but he saw plenty of action coming on in Indiana’s prominent 4-2-5 sets racking up 25 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and two pass break-ups. Johnson became the main starter in 2020 posting 43 tackles and tied the team lead with four interceptions. He earned himself second-team All-Big 10 honors.

Due to Indiana’s 4-2-5 scheme, Johnson showed a lot of versatility to do nearly everything from stopping the run to defending the pass as highlighted by his stats. He can cover deep as safety and line up in the box and cover the slot. Johnson has great size and speed to pair with it. He’s best suited for defenses that run a split safety in which both are versatile safeties.

Since he is best suited for that scheme, he is perfect to pair with Eddie Jackson. With Sean Desai taking over as defensive coordinator, he should re-implement the Vic Fangio defense with split-high safeties that can do everything. Johnson will be highlighted greatly in this defense and he doesn’t need to start immediately if he isn’t ready as both Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson are familiar with the scheme.