If you comb through 2023 NFL Mock drafts, you will find that one player was linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars more than most.

That name is Brian Branch, the defensive back out of Alabama.

However, the Jaguars elected to pass on Brian Branch in the first round, and they took Oklahoma offensive tackle, Anton Harrison. 

They would not get the chance to take Branch again, as he would be selected 45th overall by the Detroit Lions. Jacksonville would surprisingly pass on defenders in the second and third rounds, too, while the need for a defensive back would have to wait until the fifth round. 

Despite being a late-round selection, they appear to have landed the right guy In their recent podcast for the NFL Stock Exchange, hosts Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers discussed the most impactful rookies for each team outside of round one. 

For the Jaguars, Trevor Sikkema chose Texas A&M safety, Antonio Johnson.

Sikkema would go on to say that the Jaguars had a big need at nickel and that is why Brian Branch was being mocked by them so much. 

"He has the talent level to start at nickel very early in his rookie career," Sikkema stated.

He would go on to express confusion as to why Johnson lasted until the fifth round. Whether it is medicals or maybe the interviews were terrible. This information is not made available to the public so we will never know. 

"At WORST Antonio Johnson should have been a priority early day-three selection; at the very beginning of the fourth round" Sikkema would add. 

I would agree, Antonio Johnson was a second-round player for me, based on film, thus it was excellent value for the Jaguars. 

Here are my thoughts on Johnson: A safety who has a lot of experience playing down in the box, he won't bring you much of anything in the traditional role, as he only looked reliable in three deep looks. He can be used reliably as a nickel corner. Can man up against running backs and be a tight end eraser. You can tell he spends time in the film room, he is constantly communicating with other defenders making "push" calls to make sure everyone is on the same page. Reliable tackler, who can struggle to get off blocks. Didn't have many opportunities to showcase ball skills, and is change of direction ability is quite underwhelming. He is not a physical player on tape.