Which 2022 draft picks could the Chiefs release?
By Jacob Milham
Safety Nazeeh Johnson
He has the experience, he has the tools, he has the film. But, safety Nazeeh Johnson’s path to Kansas City’s 53-man roster will be anything but easy.
The Marshall product is both a plus-athlete and versatile defender, traits the Chiefs covet in their depth defensive backs. Preseason fan favorites Zayne Anderson and Devon Key both emulate those traits and will be Johnson’s initial competition in training camp. Johnson played both safety roles and nickel back for Marshall University, receiving All-Conference USA recognition in each of the last three seasons. Johnson’s 45 starts were productive, totaling 302 tackles, 26 passes defended, seven interceptions, and five tackles-for-loss.
What could set Johnson apart is his plus-athletic traits. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at his pro day, which would have been second-fastest at the 2022 NFL Combine. His twitch and initial reactions are very good, at least at the collegiate level.
At 5’10” and 199 pounds, Johnson is not a thumping safety like fellow rookie Bryan Cook. But unlike Cook, Johnson could contribute in nickel or dime packages, as a palatable defender. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo already recognized that earlier this offseason.
Could watch this over and over. Watching pro athletes be coachable and attentive is so refreshing. This was rookie safety Nazeeh Johnson today with DC Steve Spagnuolo working on, what I presume, technique at the slot corner position pic.twitter.com/wiYUpM5vb6
— Jacob Meikel (@NPNOWMeikel) June 15, 2022
Johnson is likely the most underrated rookie in this draft class, but he was the 259th overall selection after all. If Johnson can surpass Key and Anderson on the depth chart, his next likely hurdle would be six-year veteran Deon Bush. The former Chicago Bear was an acceptable start for Chicago, but hardly a defensive stalwart. While Bush as a depth option makes sense, Kansas City had a similar situation in 2021. The Chiefs signed Will Parks, a veteran defender, and special teams player, in May 2021. Parks ultimately was the odd man out in Kansas City’s safety room.
If Johnson and one of Anderson or Key have a strong camp, Bush’s Kansas City tenure could be shorter than expected. But, if Johnson falters or has a middling training camp performance, then Kansas City cutting Johnson would not be surprising. Ultimately, Johnson’s roster status could go either way, with reasonable paths both on and off the 53-man roster. One is certainly harder than the other though.