C.J.

Gardner-Johnson

A.J. Brown is the only Philly player inactive because of an injury this week and he was ruled out on Friday. Gardner-Johnson was added to the injury report on Thursday as a DNP. He also missed Friday’s session before being listed as questionable. It’s possible he plays on a pitch count this week. Inactive for the Eagles are LB Devin White, CB Eli Ricks, DT Byron Young, OL Trevor Keegan, OL Darian Kinnard, and QB Tanner McKee.

We don’t have a clear timeline for Gardner-Johnson’s injury, but according to Eagles beat writer Jeff McClane, it is not considered long-term. The veteran safety appeared in just three games for the Lions last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 against the Seahawks, but returned in Week 18 and played in all three of the Lions’ postseason contests. Now back with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson is expected to anchor the team’s secondary alongside safety Reed Blankenship. At this time, it doesn’t sound like he’s at risk of missing any regular season games.

Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral in a Week 2 against the Seahawks. Lions’ edge rusher James Houston was also placed on IR. Gardner-Johnson was a key addition to revamping the Lions’ secondary and they have hopes that he’ll return later in the season.

Gardner-Johnson missed five days after getting carted from practice with a non-contact injury. Detroit avoided what could have been a major setback with Gardner-Johnson, who tied for the league lead with six interceptions last year. The Lions’ safety is expected to be limited to individual drills as he works his way back from the injury.

Gardner-Johnson (5’11/210) went pro as a redshirt junior after making 26 starts on the Gators’ backend, amassing nine career interceptions, three pick sixes, and 15.5 tackles for loss. Experienced at both safety and slot corner, Gardner-Johnson profiles as a speedier (4.48) version of Minkah Fitzpatrick with plus tackling efficiency and field-flipping ball skills.

Brugler added that Gardner-Johnson (5'11/210) had “a ton” of interviews with teams and “mixed results” was “the best way he could put it.” This likely means he bombed a number of interviews with NFL teams. This would explain his slide in the draft after he was expected to be selected early on Day 2. Despite poor interviews, Gardner-Johnson is an intriguing physical prospect who warrants a selection early on Day 3.

Brugler says it’s a “sign of the times” as defenses are more concerned with matching the playing speed of new-age NFL offenses rather looking for big-shouldered safeties. While all of these safeties are smaller than usual, there are a few that still play with that aggressive style that we’ve been accustomed to seeing. One of those prospects who offers speed with aggression is Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson who is projected to earn a top-50 pick in two weeks.

“Gardner-Johnson is a lot like Minkah Fitzpatrick or Jalen Ramsey were coming out of college—fantastic defenders the NFL can’t agree on where to play,” Miller writes, adding that the 5-foot-11, 210-pounder possesses “excellent potential and versatility.” He sees Gardner-Johnson being drafted within the first 50 picks later this month.

Gardner-Johnson (5'11/210) is expected to be drafted near the Bills’ second-round pick (No. 40 overall), so it’s a possible connection for you multi-round mock draft makers out there. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler describes him as having “terrific athleticism and chase speed” and there’s no questioning his physicality. The primary question, however, is where Gardner-Johnson will play on the field. One NFL personnel director called him a free safety while others project him as a nickel cornerback.

The personnel director had a pretty strong take on something most scouts are split on. He reasoned “Go watch the Florida State game from last year and that is who he should be in the NFL. He’s fast and he will hit you.” Gardner-Johnson (5'11/210) turned in an average 50th percentile SPARQ athletic composite score at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was able to improve some of his numbers at his Pro Day but not enough to make too big of a difference in his overall athletic profile. He has 17 pre-draft visits lined up and the Arizona Cardinals are showing a lot of interest. He’ll likely be an early Day 2 selection.