NFL Draft Results: Chiefs select Marshall safety Nazeeh Johnson at No. 259

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected Marshall safety Nazeeh Johnson with the 259th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

5 feet 10 | 199 pounds | Marshall

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Background: Johnson played wide receiver in high school, earning over 1,000 yards and all-conference honors. He became a preferred-walk on at Marshall, eventually earning a scholarship two years into his college career.

He started four seasons, totaling 302 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions, 19 passes defended and a defensive touchdown.

Johnson played 50% of his snaps as a slot defender in 2021, but also played as a free safety and in the box.

Strengths: Johnson has experience playing all over the defense and being very active in all levels of the unit. He played a lot of slot, because he has the movement skills to keep up pretty well as a man-coverage defender. He was a very impressive athlete at his Pro Day, running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and a 6.97-second three-cone drill.

Weaknesses: He doesn’t show off impressive length or hand size, which hurts him physically as a tackler. He may be more of a “jack of all trades” than someone who fills a specific role.

How he fits with the Chiefs: Johnson will look to compete for a spot on special teams right away — and he’ll have some competition; the Chiefs have acquired a lot of defensive backs in the 2022 Draft. His slot capabilities could make him a direct competitor to an undrafted free agent from last year: Nebraska’s DiCaprio Bootle.

Chiefs Draft Picks (10)

• First round (21st): Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie
• First round (30th): Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis
• Second round (54th — from Patriots): Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore
• Second round (62nd): Cincinnati safety Bryan Cook
• Third round (103rd — special comp pick): Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal
• Fourth round (135th): Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams
• Fifth round (145th): Kentucky tackle Darian Kinnard
• Seventh round (243rd): Washington State cornerback Jaylen Watson
• Seventh round (251st): Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco
• Seventh round (259th): Marshall safety Nazeeh Johnson