STRENGTHS
Anthony has that long, tall, lengthy size, with potential lockdown athletic talent, that every team in the NFL is looking for in a draft. He is an aggressive form tackler, coming up quickly to support the running game. He has excellent overall quickness for his size and those long strides, making it easy for him to cover ground quickly giving him surprising makeup speed. Because of his size and ability to tackle Anthony can be used inside or outside in coverage situations and as a safety all over the field. He looks to have a high football IQ, reading receivers and timing his breakups at the right time when he is in trail coverages. Anthony is aggressive but not the type of aggressiveness that will get him any more penalties than the average lockdown corner in the NFL.
CONCERNS
As of this writing, Anthony is flying under the radar of the sports media but the scouts know all about him. He does struggle with his hip flip but because of his long strides and long length Anthony recovers quickly. Of course, when he works out, some teams will knock him down because of this but I see that as a big mistake.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.81
When you have Anthony’s size, length, agility, and high football IQ you can compensate for a slow hip flip and still be a lockdown corner. That being said, the smart playoff teams will use that slow hip flip to push Anthony down and suggest he can only be a safety and we all know how teams value the safety position in general…not as high as cornerbacks for sure. Anthony reminds me a lot of Richard Sherman but Anthony is more consistent in single coverage than Richard was. Of course, if Anthony can have as good a career as Richard has had, he will certainly be worth the 1st round grade I have on him. What round will Anthony be selected in? What do I look like a soothsayer? Look at Rob’s board for that information and don’t get this Anthony Johnson mixed up with any other Antonio Johnson.
