Ranking Jaguars biggest NFL Draft gems of the last decade

4. Antonio Johnson, safety - Round 5, pick 160, 2023

This is the Jaguars' most recent late-round gem. Expected to go in the first round in 2023, defensive back Antonio Johnson somehow slid to the fifth even though he didn't have any injury concerns or character red flags. Either way, the Jags couldn't pass up the chance to take the former Texas A&M Aggie, and so far, that's turned out to be a great decision.

The Jags wanted to keep Johnson at safety but it didn't take them long to give him snaps at nickel. This wasn't necessarily surprising because he played different positions in the defensive backfield for the Aggies. The Jacksonville coaching staff put that versatility to use right out of the gate, and he made the most of his opportunity. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury sidelined the East St. Louis native to start his rookie season.

But once he was able to contribute, Johnson went on to have an impact, getting more playing time and displacing veteran Tre Herndon as the primary nickel cornerback as the season progressed. He finished the year with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three passes defensed.

When Jacksonville released veteran Rayshawn Jenkins in a cap-saving move, Johnson became the favorite to replace him, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed he would be the starting safety next to Andre Cisco in 2024.

Looking back, Johnson would've probably wanted to be drafted earlier but he should be pleased with how things have played out. The only reason he didn't rank higher on this list is that last year was a limited sample, and he'll need to keep making strides to get a better spot.