The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed UDFA S Brett Johnson off waivers
from the Buffalo Bills, the Eagles announced. Johnson was waived by Buffalo last
Friday.
Johnson (6-1, 194) was signed as a rookie free agent from the University of
California-Berkeley by the Bills following the 2010 draft.
A two-year starter at free safety, the 23-year-old Johnson finished his
collegiate career with 107 tackles along with three interceptions. In 2009,
Johnson recorded a career-high 52 tackles to lead all Bears defensive backs.
A pro personnel source told Scout.com that Johnson, a non-NFL Combine
invitee, put together a very strong pro day back in March. Johnson, who posted
an eye-popping 43-inch vertical leap, also posted a 40-yard dash time in the 4.3
range, the source said. A strong vertical leap, in the mind of scouts, shows
explosion through the hips. The source also notes Johnson does not play up to
his listed size and is quite raw, which explains why he wasn't drafted. However,
while no other teams put in a waiver claim for the athletic safety, he remains
an intriguing prospect.
Johnson, if he has a strong training camp, could push for the team's fourth safety
job.
The Henderson, NV, native was a college teammate of Eagles WR DeSean Jackson
at Cal.
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