The Browns are kicking off the new league year by adding one of the NFL's top safeties to their secondary.
John Johnson III, who spent the past four years shining as a leader on the Rams defense, has agreed to terms on a deal with the Browns, who are set to welcome one of the NFL's top-rated players to a position group that could have a much different look in 2021.
"Really excited about what John Johnson is going to bring to our defense and our back end in particular," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He's a dynamic player that will fit in well with our group. On top of that, I'm excited about the person, as much as I am about the player. He was the captain of the team out there in Los Angeles at such a young age and all the people that I've spoken to about him consistently rave about the person that he is and the leader he is for a football team, so we couldn't be more thrilled to add him to the team."
Johnson, who is entering his fifth season, comes to Cleveland after racking up a team-best 105 tackles, an interception and eight passes defensed for a Rams defense that finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense and No. 1 in pass defense. Pro Football Focus gave Johnson a grade of 85.3 for the 2020 season, putting him third in the league among safeties.
The Rams selected Johnson, who starred at Boston College, in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He quickly solidified a role in Los Angeles' defense, appearing in all 16 games as a rookie and taking over as a starter one month into the season. His breakout campaign came in 2018, when he registered 119 tackles, 11 passes defensed and four interceptions during the Rams' run to the Super Bowl. His interception of Drew Brees in overtime of the NFC Championship helped send the Rams to their first Super Bowl in 17 years.
Johnson intercepted two passes in his first three games of 2019 but had his third season short-circuited by a shoulder injury that limited him to six games. He bounced back in a big way in 2020 and proved to be an Iron Man in the back end of the Rams' defense, playing every single snap in the team's 16 regular season games and two playoff games. Johnson was one of just four safeties in the NFL to play every snap during the regular season.
"John has a diverse skill set so we're excited about his versatility. He can do a bunch of different things, that will allow us to expand our packages to see where he fits in," Stefanski said. "Versatility is a big part of where we want to be."
Johnson was more than just a producer for the Rams in 2020; he was a leader. He was voted as a team captain for the 2020 team and wore the headset in his helmet that connected him with his defensive coordinator. He was also the team's nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, which goes to a player who "best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition."
Johnson joins a Browns safety room that features Ronnie Harrison Jr., Grant Delpit and a slew of other younger players. Harrison joined the Browns via trade shortly before the start of the 2020 season and proved to be an impact player despite missing a handful of games because of injuries. Delpit, the Browns' second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, missed all of his rookie season after tearing his Achilles tendon during training camp. Veterans Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo, who played the most snaps of any Browns safeties in 2020, are currently free agents.
Check out photos of safety John Johnson III
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) poses for a portrait on Media Day, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Allen Lazard is tackled by Los Angeles Rams' John Johnson during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Los Angeles Rams free safety John Johnson (43) defends against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III is pictured during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Seattle. The Rams won 30-20. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III is pictured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-9. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) enters before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams free safety John Johnson (43) and safety Nick Scott (33) celebrate during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 29, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) walks to the locker room during halftime an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Corey Perrine)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) runs onto the field before an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during an NFL football camp practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Los Angeles Rams free safety John Johnson III (43) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. 49ers won 24-16. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) runs on the field before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) poses for a portrait on Media Day, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) and team mates celebrate during overtime of the NFL football NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) poses for a portrait on Media Day, Monday, June 10, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, CA. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) stands during the national anthem before an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson runs onto the field before an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
