Detroit Lions full 2021 mock draft: Two Tigers at the top

Jamar Johnson

Selection #: Round 3 / 101st overall

Position: Safety

School: Indiana

Height/Weight: 6-1 / 197

2020 statistics: 8 games, 42 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Analysis: As we examined recently, safety is a sneaky need for the Lions this offseason and one that they have yet to seriously address in free agency. Here is a quick and athletic player that could add a serious dose of playmaking to their secondary.

Johnson has steadily risen up the ranks among safety prospects during the evaluation period, thanks to some impressive ball skills and fluid movement skills on the field. Two of his four interceptions in 2020 came against Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, a possible top-5 selection in this year’s draft.

His quick feet allow him to play a variety of roles on the back end, including covering the slot, manning a zone, or patroling the deep portion of the field. He’s a fluid player with good instincts and a lot of potential to improve.

Where the Florida native falls short is in his tackling; he missed several opportunities to take down opposing ball carriers during his time with the Hoosiers. He could struggle against more physical players to start with, particularly some of the talented tight ends that the Lions are scheduled to face in 2020.

Additionally, it remains to be seen how much this new Lions staff values safeties. They did not pursue any of the top names on the free-agent market and they could opt for more cornerback depth with one of their mid-round picks instead. If Johnson is available, however, he should be under strong consideration.

Overall, Johnson is a very clean prospect that could offer a wide array of upgrades to the Lions’ defensive backfield. He may even be worth their second-round pick if he checks all of their boxes.