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Todd McShay

Find the most comprehensive analysis on [Player Name], featuring Todd McShay’s evaluations. Official measurables, advanced analytics, and a scout’s eye provide the most in-depth breakdown of a prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, NFL draft projection, and potential at the next level.

Safety

Dalton Johnson

Grade57 /100
Pos Rank14
OVR Rank162
School
ARIZ

Experience

Played50
Started35

POSITION STATS LAST SEASON

Tackles
97
PBU
7
INTs
4
Todd McShay

Position-Specific Grades

COMBINE RESULTS

Height
5' 10 7/8"
Weight
192lbs
ARM
30 7/8"
HAND
9 1/8"
40-Yard Dash
4.41sec
Todd McShay
10-Yard Split
1.59sec

The Takeaway

The Player

Johnson is an undersized but tough safety who led Arizona in tackles in each of the past two seasons and finished second in tackles in 2023. He’s quick to trigger and closes well when breaking on passes thrown in front of him. He jumps routes, times his hits well, drives through the receiver, and can jar the ball loose. He can track and close in single-high and two-high looks. 

For a player with shorter arms, he’s effective at breaking up passes (he had a career-high 11 passes defended last season) and rips at the ball well before receivers can finish their catch. He times his jumps well and has the hands and instincts of a ball hawk (four interceptions last season). He can turn and run with tight ends and slot receivers, but lacks ideal length and range for a safety, which hinders his ability to win 50-50 balls downfield. 

He’s an aggressive, relentless, and tough run defender who flies around and is willing to sacrifice his body to make a play. He recorded 208 solo tackles over the past three seasons. However, he still misses too many tackles, with his lack of size making it hard for him to get ballcarriers on the ground. Sometimes he takes poor angles and he can get engulfed and overwhelmed when he lines up in the box and defenders get into his frame. He primarily played in the box over the course of his career. Last season, he split time between the box, slot, and free safety, according to PFF. He covered punts and kickoffs. He played 50 games at Arizona.

The Draft

Johnson is a day-three prospect and was part of an Arizona defense that ranked seventh nationally in yards allowed last season. An Arizona defensive back hasn’t been drafted since 2018. 

The Projection

Johnson can provide depth at safety and nickel in the NFL, while also contributing on special teams. Javon Bullard, a 2024 second-round pick, is an optimistic comp. Both players have similar frames, length, and top-end speed. Bullard has started 19 games and made 164 tackles in his first two seasons in the league.