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It worked with Micheal Dickson at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, so why not stick with what works for 2019?
Following last year’s interviews with players at the combine, the former Texas punter said the Seattle Seahawks challenged him to a staring competition. About eight weeks later, he was officially on the team’s roster.
According to Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, Kentucky cornerback Lonnie Johnson was the latest competitor challenged to a staring dual. His “15, 16 seconds” was apparently good enough to win. Dickson, on the other hand, called his initial performance “terrible” while lasting 14 seconds.
CB Lonnie Johnson of Kentucky said the #Seahawks put him in a staring contest lasting "15, 16 seconds" during his formal interview with them. Said he won. Couldn't recall the name of who he went against.#NFLCombine
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) March 3, 2019
Johnson certainly fits the size profile of a Seahawks cornerback. At 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 213 pounds at the combine, he also has the requisite arm length at 32 5/8”. General manager John Schneider hasn’t drafted a cornerback with arms shorter than 32 inches.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com even compares Johnson to a former Seahawks draft pick, Tharold Simon, who was taken by Seattle in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Johnson played 22 games over his final two seasons with Kentucky with 64 career tackles, 1 sack and a 24-yard interception.
In SB Nation’s latest 3-round mock draft, Johnson is slated is a potential third-round pick. The Seahawks currently have the 84th overall pick. If Johnson were to fall to Seattle at that spot, he would be the highest drafted corner of the Pete Carroll era. Shaquill Griffin was drafted in the third round with the 90th pick in 2017.
Johnson joins a list of seven players who have acknowledged talking to the Seahawks at this year’s combine.