One of the biggest tasks on Redskins’ GM Scot McCloughan’s agenda when he took the reins in Washington was fixing a secondary that has disappointed for years. Friday, they signed Chris Culliver to help solidify the cornerback position, but Washington still lacked starting safeties. With the addition of Jeron Johnson, however, McCloughan may have a starting strong safety.

Johnson spent the majority of his career as a backup to Kam Chancellor in Seattle. He was afforded rare spot snaps in dime sub-packages and in relief of Chancellor. Most of his time was spent on special teams, where he made an impact. In Week 10 of last season, Johnson got the rare opportunity to start. Johnson looked like a solid player in both man and zone coverage, while playing the run well when in the box.

This is one of the most basic and common coverages asked of a safety. Johnson is responsible for a deep half of the field.

Johnson drops to his landmark and reads the outside receiver. He spots the receiver breaking inside, and stops his backpedal.

Johnson then looks into the backfield to locate the ball and break on the throw.

Johnson reads the play well and breaks on the throw, but can’t quite get there quick enough to make a play on the ball.

Making reads like these is something the Redskins safeties struggled with last year. Johnson appeared comfortable playing over the top with deep half responsibilities. But Johnson was more impressive lining up in the box and playing man coverage against tight ends and running backs.

Here, Johnson gets matched up one-on-one with Giants tight end Larry Donnell. Donnell runs right up the seam.

Johnson attempts to force Donnell’s route wider, while Donnell attempts to keep Johnson at arms length. But Johnson plays the route well, he sits on the inside hip of Donnell throughout the route.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning anticipates Donnell winning the matchup and pulls the trigger early. But Johnson stays on Donnell’s inside hip the entire route. He watches his eyes and hands as Donnell reaches out for the ball. Johnson sticks his arm out in front of Donnell and deflects the pass.

[Closer looks at: Culliver | Knighton | Paea | Jean Francois]

Ideally, you’d like to see Johnson get his head around and locate the ball. But he did an excellent job staying with Donnell and reading him to break up the pass. When Washington faced Donnell, Brandon Meriweather, Perry Riley Jr., David Amerson and Bashaud Breeland all struggled against him. Johnson showed here that he’s capable of staying with athletic receiving tight ends, which have been a problem for the Redskins defense in recent years.

His ability to play man coverage on tight ends and running backs should fit in well with Breeland and Culliver, who both excel in press-man coverage. I’d expect to see Johnson in the box against tight ends plenty this season. But when he’s in the box, he also has run responsibilities. He’s a solid player against the run.

On this play, Johnson is lined up about 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. The Giants attempt to fake a quick pass before handing off on a draw play.

Johnson reads the draw quicker than any other defender. He gets his eyes on the quarterback and spots him handing off to the running back. He begins to move down towards the line of scrimmage while other defenders are still dropping back into coverage.

Johnson plugs the hole and forces the running back to consider which way to cut. The back opts to challenge Johnson.

Johnson then bursts through the hole and makes the tackle for a minimal gain.

It will be interesting to see how Johnson handles the increased responsibilities of potentially being a starter in Washington, as opposed to a backup in Seattle. But he flashed upside in his limited snaps with the Seahawks and should at least add some depth to the Redskins secondary and special teams.

Mark Bullock is The Insider’s Outsider, sharing his Redskins impressions without the benefit of access to the team. For more, click here.

More from The Post:

Redskins sign safety Jeron Johnson | All free agency Insider posts

Hall does a backflip to show health | Paul wants Griffin to hush doubters

Redskins enter Week 2 of free agency with holes to fill

Jones: Redskins follow The McCloughan Way | Allen talks offseason

More NFL: Home page | Sports Bog | Early Lead | Fancy Stats | Fantasy

Follow: @MikeJonesWaPo | @lizclarketweet | @Insider