ESPN: Bears CB Jaylon Johnson is a top 10 player at his position

ESPN has been releasing their top 10 lists at every NFL position ahead of training camp marking its return at all 32 facilities. The cornerbacks list was released on Thursday morning. Chicago Bears superstar cornerback Jaylon Johnson claimed the No. 8 spot in a league-wide poll consisting of execs, coaches, and scouts.

It represents a significant climb up the rankings for Johnson, who finished unranked in ESPN's positional poll last season. Johnson finished as high as No. 4 for one voter, though his median finish earned him the eighth overall spot.

"Competitive corner with man traits and excellent zone vision," an NFL personnel evaluator said. "Physical in press and fluid at the break point. Showed more ball production last year. Only thing he lacks is top-end recovery speed."

Johnson earned his spot. The former Utah standout allowed 33 receptions on 57 targets for 286 yards and one touchdown while recording four interceptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Johnson was an elite shutdown corner that produced a 17.5% ball-hawk rate.

"No cornerback was hotter in the second half of the season," ESPN wrote. "He was probably Chicago's best overall player. It was a good thing the Bears didn't trade him at the deadline as he requested."

The Bears rewarded Johnson's standout 2023 campaign by signing him to a four-year, $76 million contract extension earlier this offseason. It was a fair contract for the Bears. Johnson is currently the eighth-highest paid cornerback in the league annually at $19 million, according to Over The Cap. The overall value of $76 million also ranks eighth among all cornerbacks.

Johnson was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded cornerback with a coverage score of 90.8. He'll play for a new defensive coordinator this season in Eric Washington. Johnson will spearhead a talented Bears secondary that also features Tyrique Stevenson, Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and Kyler Gordon.