Chicago Bears: Final 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft

As is the case with the safety position, the Chicago Bears need to look into the future when it comes to the cornerback slot. Yes, they are pretty solid there now, but the salary cap situation could change things. The Bears have a number of players who are up for new contracts soon such as Cody Whitehair, Trubisky and Jackson.

Re-signing those players could be a problem, even though Pace reworked some contracts to free up space. He can’t rework every contract so he needs to make tough decisions. That means Prince Amukamara could end up being a salary cap casualty. If the Bears do that, they’ll need to have someone already on the roster who could step in and take the outside corner position. Isaiah Johnson could be that player.

At 6-2, 208 pounds, Johnson has the height and size to contend today’s big wide receiver. The former track star ran a 4.4-second 40, so he has the speed to keep up with them as well. In addition to having speed, Johnson can also keep a receiver from starting his route clean with his press coverage. He uses his hands well, especially a well-placed hand punch to shock the receiver and force just enough of a timing change.

Johnson spent his first two seasons as a wide receiver before switching to cornerback. Because of that, he can go up with the receiver and beat him for the ball. In the two seasons he played corner, he had four interceptions and 12 pass breakups.

Because his first two seasons were as a wide receiver Johnson still has some learning to do as a cornerback. He just needs some polishing. He sometimes gets out of position when he tackles. Also, even though he has good recovery speed, he sometimes needs to use it too often when receivers change speed during routes. He also sometimes gets handsy, and that will cost him at the next level.

A season of grooming with NFL coaches should get him ready to step up as a starter in year two. His combination of size and speed should help him have success in the NFL.