ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

C.J. Gardner-Johnson

SAF

Drafted 105th overall in the 4th round of the 2019 draft, C.J. Gardner-Johnson arrived from Florida. Now with BUF, he's in his 8th NFL season. By ScoutIndex Rating he was one of the top DEFs in football last season, scoring a 70.3 (90th percentile).

Size

5'11", 208#

College

Florida

Draft

Rd 4, 105th overall (2019)

Seasons

2019–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
52.7

65th percentile among DEFs · limited sample

5 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.37
Pass rush×0.3-0.60
Ball skills×0.25+1.26
Run defense×0.2-0.37
Availability×0.1+0.92

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026BUF52.75
2025HOU70.313
2024PHI75.316
2023DET60.73
2022PHI77.212
2021NO72.712
2020NO69.915
2019NO62.416

Career profile

Across 8 NFL seasons on file, C.J. Gardner-Johnson has played in 92 regular-season games, playing for 6 teams: NO (2019–2021), PHI (2022), DET (2023), PHI (2024), HOU (2025), BUF (2026).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2022: a 77.2, in the 94th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1HOU—43.7
Week 2DET—40.6
Week 3LAC—70.5
Week 4NE—40.9
Week 5LAR—42

C.J. Gardner-Johnson — common questions

What position does C.J. Gardner-Johnson play?
C.J. Gardner-Johnson is listed as an SAF.
Which teams has C.J. Gardner-Johnson played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), C.J. Gardner-Johnson has played for NO (2019–2021), PHI (2022), DET (2023), PHI (2024), HOU (2025), BUF (2026).
Where did C.J. Gardner-Johnson go to college?
C.J. Gardner-Johnson played college football at Florida.
When was C.J. Gardner-Johnson drafted?
C.J. Gardner-Johnson was selected in round 4, 105th overall, of the 2019 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has C.J. Gardner-Johnson scored?
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is C.J. Gardner-Johnson's ScoutIndex Rating?
C.J. Gardner-Johnson rated 52.7 for 2026, the 65th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 4, 2019

Also from Florida