Cornelius Johnson WR Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cornelius Johnson WR Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.44 seconds (73%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 23.10 DOB: 11/29/2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2024 | |
40 time: 4.44 seconds (73%*) | |
Age: 23.10 DOB: 11/29/2000 | |
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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Overall Rating: | 80.8 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 109.2 | |
Hands: |
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64% |
Short Receiving: |
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73% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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79% |
Deep Threat: |
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81% |
Blocking: |
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62% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#153
Position rank:
#25
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College Games: 60 College Snaps: 2353 | ||
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#25
Pos Rank:
#33
State Rank:
#2
College Combine Results
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Ovr Rank: #175 Pos Rank: #26 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Alec Pierce - Cincinnati |
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96% |
Nico Collins - Michigan |
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86% |
Erik Ezukanma - Texas Tech |
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85% |
Drafted: ROUND: 7 - Pick Number: 253 (LAC)
Draft Profile: Bio
Standing at 6’3” and weighing 212 pounds, Johnson made a name for himself with a mix of size, speed, and hands that have NFL scouts taking notice. Over his time with the Wolverines, he tallied notable performances, including a career-best 9 receptions against Iowa and 160 yards at Ohio State in 2022. Johnson's knack for finding the end zone was highlighted by multiple two-touchdown games, showcasing his ability as a red zone threat. His achievements were recognized with an All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches in 2023, alongside being a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, demonstrating his prowess on and off the field.Before stepping onto the field for Michigan, Johnson was a standout at the Brunswick School in Connecticut, where he dominated the competition to the tune of 2,167 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns over his prep career. This performance earned him the 2018-19 Gatorade Player of the Year in Connecticut. His transition to college saw him appear in 60 games with 44 starts, cementing his role as a key player for the Wolverines.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Boasts an NFL-ready body with ideal height and weight, complemented by a frame that promises substantial developmental upside.
- Proven to be a dangerous vertical threat, utilizing his speed and length to consistently challenge deep coverage and stretch the field.
- Displays an impressive ability to make contested catches, particularly noted in his 2023 performances, highlighting his secure hands and leap capacity.
- Efficient route runner with the knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage, showcasing his savvy understanding of leveraging against defenders.
- Exemplifies commendable blocking skills, contributing to his team’s run game with a high level of effort and effectiveness.
- Noted for his play strength and competitiveness, posing challenges for cornerbacks, especially in downfield actions.
- Demonstrates good ball tracking and catching ability, especially on deep throws, contributing to his threat as a big-play receiver.
- Showed serious improvement in pulling in contested catch catches, with a marked increase in reliability in traffic and after the catch in 2023.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Has shown inconsistency in hand technique and coordination, affecting his security at the catch point and leading to focus drops.
- Despite his speed, lacks elite breakaway capability in open fields, which could limit his effectiveness against faster defensive backs.
- Route running, while improved, still displays signs of rigidity, particularly in hip tightness, affecting his ability to make sharp breaks.
- Struggles with route precision and timing, needing refinement in footwork to effectively beat coverage leverage.
- Despite his size, exhibits modest hip stiffness, necessitating additional steps for sharp route cuts, which could telegraph his intentions.
Scouting Report: Summary
Cornelius Johnson's draft stock is a mixed bag, reflective of his on-field performances at Michigan. He's got the prototypical WR frame - tall, solid build, with the wingspan to snag balls out of the air. His vertical game is his bread and butter; he can go over the top of DBs and has shown flashes of being a red zone threat with his ability to high-point the football. Despite this, Johnson's route tree appears limited with a tendency for rounded breaks and a lack of sharpness in his cuts, which could telegraph his routes to savvy cornerbacks at the next level.From a scouting lens, Johnson's upside is palpable. His long strides eat up cushion quickly, putting immediate pressure on defensive backfields. His contested catch capability and downfield threat make him a matchup problem, particularly in single coverage situations. However, his transition to the NFL demands an uptick in route sophistication and a focus on catching mechanics to mitigate drops - areas where coaching and scheme fit will be paramount. His blocking prowess and special teams contributions highlight a willingness to contribute in multiple phases, adding to his overall value.
Projecting into the NFL, Johnson's developmental trajectory will hinge on refining the nuances of his position - honing in on route precision, leveraging his frame more effectively against press coverage, and enhancing his catch consistency. His physical tools present a solid foundation, but the onus will be on NFL coaching staffs to unlock his full potential. As a late-round pick with developmental upside, Johnson could carve out a role as a situational deep threat and special teams contributor, with the ceiling to evolve into a more prominent role given the right developmental environment.
Cornelius Johnson percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Cornelius Johnson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
171.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
35.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.