Potential Pick at 29: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

The Chiefs will most likely address the defense with their first round pick. I would prefer a CB, but depending on how the rest of the offseason goes, Safety could be in play as well. It doesn't look to be the strongest Safety draft class, but one name is starting to heat up, especially after a good overall showing at the scouting combine. The Chiefs, along with every other NFL team, met with him in Indianapolis. There's a reason he was a popular interview: he looks the part of a starter at Box Safety that can come down to the slot in Nickel. Depending on how the rest of the offseason goes, KC could absolutely need a player like this prospect.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

Measurables

Height: 5-10 7/8

Weight: 210

Hands: 9 2/8

Arm: 30 7/8

Wingspan: 74

He has the prototypical size for the S/CB hybrid position he'd play. Nothing that stands out. 

Combine Results

40 time: 4.48 seconds

Bench: 17 reps

Vertical: 36 inches

Broad Jump: 9'9"

3 Cone: 7.03 seconds

20 yard shuttle: 4.20 seconds

None of his numbers impress you, none were even in the top 15 of the DBs. His athleticism pops out a lot more on the field than it did at the combine.

Analysis

CGJ showed snaps as a deep safety in 2017, but in 2018 he played mostly in the Slot CB position or as a Box Safety coming off the edge. The first thing that pops out on tape is his speed. He shows it in bursts and in across field pursuits.

His quickness coupled with that speed gives WRs fits when trying to block him. 

He shows the aggressiveness you want in a box safety in the run game, using his downhill momentum to successfully penetrate the backfield and make a play. 

He forces a hold here by attacking the blocker and overpowering him to his outside shoulder

 

 Gives off the impression that he likes to hit, that's for sure. A DB with a swagger or attitude is a plus. 

Just a good looking open field tackler. 

I mentioned that he played deep safety in the 2017 season. He showed promise there with a few plays, including this goal line INT. Reads the QB's eyes all the way and makes a play on the ball. 

His aggressiveness was still on display as a deep safety. WRs don't like taking hits like these, and they'll remember who delivered them. 

His man to man skills aren't fully polished. He has trouble in spots turning his hips in time on deep routes and makes it difficult on himself to recover. But there are flashes, and he displays good awareness of  what he needs to do in coverage, specifically where his safety is on this deep crosser. He trails knowing his safety will be over the top, and eliminates any window to throw to his man. 

His explosion out of his breaks is on display in all aspects of his game, including man coverage. 

Depending on what the Chiefs do in Free Agency, CGJ may not even make sense to draft in the first round. He has a specific role as a box safety, and it feels more and more like KC will address that position before the draft. If they don't, I'd love to see Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in the role, and I think he'd make an immediate impact in the new defensive scheme.