49ers stock watch after Week 14 victory over the Texans
By Peter Panacy
Cornerback Dontae Johnson
It didn’t take long for the Texans to figure out using wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins against cornerback Dontae Johnson would be a good idea.
Granted, guarding Hopkins isn’t an easy task. And his 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns during the game is a testament to his ability.
But Johnson had zero answers defending Hopkins during the game, frequently losing on hook and post routes throughout the game.
Pro Football Focus gave Johnson a 26.8 game grade and had the following to say about his performance:
"Dontae Johnson suffered at the hands of Hopkins. In total, he gave up 140 yards on nine catches (ten targets) and a touchdown. Those were only the plays that counted, however. Johnson was flagged three times in coverage, and resorting to fouls was really his only option. It could have been worse for Johnson, but he was benched before it could get too ugly and the 49ers’ defense improved as a result. He’s best off viewing his matchup with Hopkins as a learning experience."
Johnson was eventually benched in the second half in favor of backup corner Greg Mabin. But Johnson did get back into the game following fellow corner Ahkello Witherspoon’s knee injury.
Still, it’s safe to say Johnson’s stock took a big hit Sunday.