Dallas Cowboys 2019 Draft Profile: Cornerback Isaiah Johnson
If the Dallas Cowboys are looking to upgrade their secondary in the early rounds of the draft, Isaiah Johnson from Houston would be a perfect fit.
Cornerback is not a position most people would peg as the biggest need for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2019 draft, but if you take a look a deeper look at the position it makes a lot of sense.
The Cowboys currently do not have a cornerback that is under contract past the 2021 season, and with All-Pro Byron Jones set to hit free agency next year it would be wise to invest in a player who can replace him if Jones decides to walk. Dallas likes a specific type of cornerback, and Isaiah Johnson from the University of Houston fits the mold perfectly.
Johnson stands at 6-foot-2, 208-pounds and has 33-inch arms, the perfect body type for the long and athletic corners that the Cowboys defensive coaches love. In his first two years at Houston, Johnson played wide receiver, but after a lack of production at the position, he was flipped to the cornerback spot where he thrived.
In his two seasons starting at corner, Johnson made 115 total tackles and recorded two interceptions. At the combine back in the beginning of March Johnson showed off his athletic ability running a 4.4 40-yard-dash and posting a 36.5 inch vertical to go with a 4.06 20-yard shuttle run.
The former Houston Cougar is solid in both press man and zone coverage but will need some work on his technique as he has only played corner for two years. Currently, Johnson uses mostly just his athletic ability and size to help him succeed, but once he improves his footwork and technique in coverage he could be a huge weapon.
Johnson would be a perfect project for Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard. Johnson fits the perfect mold of a corner that Richard loves, and he would have an entire year to groom him before he took over a vital role. Given that the Cowboys have three solid starters already at cornerback, Johnson would not be asked to do too much in year one.
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At the moment, Isaiah Johnson is not a guy who will come in and be your starting corner on day one. He is like many draft picks are a project player. With the current contract situation with their cornerbacks, the Dallas Cowboys need to take a corner in this draft, and if Johnson is still there on day three he would be an outstanding pickup for Dallas.