Packers Coach Has High Praise For “Energetic” New Recruit

Anthony Johnson was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (242nd overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. With the safety position containing as many (if not more) unknowns as the offense, there is a chance he will get considerable playing time on defense.

Downard gushed about Johnson’s eagerness to grow and understand the safety position during the Packers’ summer activities: “I just smile because he’s so youthful. He’s energetic. He’s got a playful personality about him. Extremely eager to learn”.

“He hasn’t played the position a bunch, so there’s a lot of things we are teaching right now. But his athletic skill set is pretty darn good. He showed some things in the rookie minicamp, even in the drills with the vets. I like the way he is coming along.”

Darnell Savage is the only safety who is sure to start right now. Last season, Rudy Ford started some games at safety for the Packers and had some solid moments. Last season, Jonathan Owens started all 17 games at safety for the Houston Texans. Tarvarius Moore, who signed with Green Bay after leaving the San Francisco 49ers, might compete for a starting job.

One would have to believe that one of the veterans who has been playing safety for years has a leg up on Savage for the starting job. Stranger things have happened in the past. Anything is possible if Johnson can distinguish himself from the rest of the team throughout training camp.

The main issue is that Johnson has only played safety for one season. Johnson informed reporters at his debut press conference:

“I was going to try and go to the NFL as a corner. And I talked my head coach, Matt Campbell, and he came in and he’s like, ‘Hey, man, I think you’re going to play safety in the NFL. I talked to some scouts about it, as well, and they think the same thing. I want you to come back and I want you to play safety for us and I want you to lead this team.’”

Johnson had planned to leave Iowa State at the end of the 2021 season until his head coach told him he couldn’t. He’s not an NFL cornerback. He’s a safe bet. So he returned for another year and began learning the job.

He’s still learning, but his position coach, Ryan Downard, is pleased with his development.