Positional ranking: #4
Big Board ranking: #52
Overview
Position: S
College: Florida
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Measurables
Height: 5’10 7/8”
Weight: 210 lbs.
Arm length: 30 7/8”
Hand size: 9 1/4″
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.48 sec.
Vertical jump: 36.0”
Broad jump: 117.0”
Bench press: 17 reps
3-cone drill: 7.03 sec.
Short shuttle: 4.20 sec.
Strengths
Versatile and aggressive defensive back. Plus athleticism with a solid overall build. At home in the slot. Elite reaction time. Great pursuit. Very aware and experienced in zone coverage. Identifies route combinations. Can jump underneath throws. Has smooth hips and above-average speed to cover ground. Tough and intelligent. Physical taking on blocks in space. Willing and effective tackler. Knows how to time up blitzes from the slot. Experienced in a variety of roles. Good ball skills and dangerous turning defense into offense. Averaged 31.8 yards per return with three touchdowns on nine career interceptions.
Weaknesses
Could struggle in man-to-man coverage against NFL slot receivers. Better in traffic than in space. Range as a deep safety is average.
NFL comparison
Malcolm Jenkins – Similar to Jenkins, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has the versatility to play a variety of roles for an NFL team, including either safety spot, nickel, or even dime linebacker.
Conclusion
Overall, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a do-it-all defensive back that I think will be at his best as an underneath safety that can cover the slot in a zone-heavy scheme.
Defensive back looks deep.
Overhyped. He went to Florida but where is the production?