5 Jacksonville Jaguars who are next in line to make the Pro Bowl

4. Antonio Johnson, defensive back

Of all the Jaguars players who may have a shot to make the Pro Bowl next year, Antonio Johnson may have the highest hill to climb. But if anyone can do it, it's him. Projected to go in the first or second round in 2023, Johnson surprisingly slid to the fifth, but it wasn't for a lack of talent. Regardless of the reason for his fall, he quickly showed he belonged in the NFL. Listed as a safety at Texas A&M, he often lined up in the slot and near the box. That versatility carried over to Jacksonville.

The team's brass planned to have Johnson exclusively line at safety but they quickly changed their mind and started giving him reps at nickel in training camp. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury that put off his NFL debut. But once he was healthy, he made plays.

Johnson's first pick came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. He progressively earned more playing time and made the most of it, registering another interception, a sack, and a forced fumble. By the end of the year, Johnson had supplanted incumbent Tre Herndon in the slot. He managed to make NFL Media's All-Rookie team and generally garnered positive reviews around the league. Looking back, it's fair to say that the Jags found themselves a late-round gem.

Now, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will need to decide what to do with the East St. Luis native. Will he move him to safety, or keep him in the slot? Either way, Nielsen will find a way to get the most out of Johnson and help him become one of the top young defensive backs in the league.