More Love For Tyler Johnson
May 1st, 2020
Bucs WR Tyler Johnson.
If Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians hadn’t been watching the Outback Bowl, whatever would have become of Tyler Johnson?
The Minnesota wide receiver had such a good performance in a win against Auburn this past January, Arians famously said to his son during the Outback Bowl game, “We’ve got to get this guy.”
Johnson slipped to the fifth-round in a draft that some believe was historically deep in receivers. But all of the #DraftMedia think Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht got an absolute steal.
That also includes Mike Renner of BSPN, who had him ranked as a second-round pick.
Johnson was one of the most NFL-ready prospects from a route-running and release perspective. Despite middling physical tools, he finished top-10 nationally in yards per route run in each of the past two seasons because of his ability to get off the line and run routes at a high level.
That skill set translates well to the slot, where Johnson spent 661 of his 817 snaps last season. It also translates well to the routes Tom Brady loves to throw. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has gotten an unfair “dink and dunk” label over the course of his career, but it’s because he’s elite with his ball placement underneath over the middle of the field, which leads to more yards after the catch for his receivers. Johnson’s ability to make plays in those tight windows will fit in nicely, as he hauled in 17 of his 26 contested-catch opportunities last season.
This gets Joe so fired up. Joe’s ready now to start his Friday alcohol consumption by chugging Big Storm Brewing beers Gronk-style.
The only thing that spooks Joe is so many people are pushing Johnson to be a slot receiver. Chris Godwin took most of his snaps at slot last year and look how he blew up.
Joe just doesn’t like fixing something that is not broken. And Godwin sure as hell isn’t broken.
May 1st, 2020 at 12:18 am
Is he faster than Godson? If so then, Godson can stay in the slot.
May 1st, 2020 at 12:39 am
No one can dispute the Bucs can scout WRs. We can all be confident in the fact Tyler Johnson is a stud.
May 1st, 2020 at 12:45 am
The beauty is Godwin and Johnson can rotate. It doesn’t matter where Chris plays, he produces. They’ll have to work Tyler in the slot early since he’s used to playing the slot and can find his rhythm against lesser DBs. But, I see BA and BL moving these weapons around to keep the defense on their toes.
May 1st, 2020 at 2:24 am
Joe, Renner is a “trained orangutan“ over at PFF and he was all about Tyler Johnson.
I don’t think you are going to find ANYONE who will fault us for taking a very good college WR in the 5th round.
May 1st, 2020 at 2:31 am
I’m thinking that Godwin has hit his stride and will be just fine outside if this new kid Johnson has the potential to be that good in the slot. It’s too bad that Licht hasn’t used some of his pixie dust on the running position back position.
May 1st, 2020 at 4:06 am
lambchop is right. Imagine the matchup nightmares with the kind of flexibilty the Bucs have in the passing game! DC’s will have sleepless nights this season
May 1st, 2020 at 5:46 am
I tend to agree with Joe in that, let Godwin play his spot. Godwin will produce wherever he plays but he really emerged last season.
I also think there are some semantics when discussing the 3rd WR.
I didn’t see this Johnson kid play. If he’s as advertised, we’re in good shape.
May 1st, 2020 at 5:58 am
Struggles to win 50/50 balls in the air
-Rarely high-points football, allowing defenders to get back into plays
-Limited route tree; must expand that at the next level (most of that due to scheme though)
-Has to double catch the ball at times, which could be a concentration issue when the ball is in the air
-Needs to improve ability to beat the press; has a hitch in get-off that allows DBs to get hands on him at the line
An interesting pre-draft take on Chris Godwin weaknesses above.
May 1st, 2020 at 6:24 am
Godwin can play outside on 3 WR sets……..we will see a lot of 2 TE sets this year.
May 1st, 2020 at 6:55 am
Godwin was a rising star before he was moved to the slot. In my opinion moving to the slot had less to do with his ascension than his maturation as a football player. Because of Godwin’s size and speed, he can line up anywhere and win. The reality is that Godwin can’t be on the field every snap so it’s good to have crossover at positions.
May 1st, 2020 at 6:59 am
geno-
That’s exactly why all the pre draft critique is almost useless… they just need to type crap to justify their jobs. Godwin is opposite of most of that feedback. Lol… lets hope the same w Johnson.
May 1st, 2020 at 7:41 am
Unless I have my analysts mixed up, I believe Renner is a part of PFF. PFF was VERY high on Tyler Johnson throughout the 2019 season and draft offseason.
Based on their analytics, Tyler Johnson was their top ranked WR in the 2019 season and WR3 (i think) in the draft.
I know we shouldnt hold out hope for day 3 picks making an impact, But Tyler Johnson can absolutely SHINE with Tom Brady. Raymond Calais can also make an impact as a receiver. Not crazy for a day 3 RB to be good. Happens all the time
May 1st, 2020 at 7:52 am
Top end speed can be grossly overrated. Anquan Boldin ran a 4.7 and was an exceptional route runner with ridiculous start/stop ability.
May 1st, 2020 at 8:32 am
And again, I believe Tyler Johnson can be Brady’s Edelman in this offense. Godwin will still be the primary slot WR because of mismatches and his blocking ability.
Edelman was always viewed as the “slot” guy for Brady, but he actually played more snaps lined up outside than in the slot. But the way he was used by NE in the middle of the field on short/intermediate throws and winning with quickness and route running… Tyler Johnson can do that, and do that well.
Bucs were in 11 personel (3 WR sets) 62% of the time last year. I honestly dont expect that to change even with adding Gronk and commiting to OJ.
May 1st, 2020 at 8:47 am
I pose a draft strategy, draft most nfl ready. This strategy at least in early rounds projects players with production and physical abilities that can translate to nfl talent level. Caveat, late round picks are by definition not nfl ready. Food for thought
May 1st, 2020 at 10:54 am
dont worry joe, i am sure brady and arians understand this and will not screw this up just to get this guy on the field. they have a lot of time on their hands to figure out how best to do this.
May 1st, 2020 at 11:16 am
Keep defenses guessing, rotate Evans, Gronk Johnson and OJ all in the slot (or slots as in 4WR sets) with Godwin getting the most slot reps.
May 1st, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Hey Minnesota fan here, Tyler Johnson is amazing. Y’all got an absolute steal. You’re going to love his highlight catches and crafty route running. He’s my favorite player to ever wear the maroon and gold.
May 2nd, 2020 at 1:29 am
Another MN Bucs fan and Tyler is for real. Won’t ever blind you with speed but just finds ways to get open and uses his body to make catches and is tough. Unafraid to sacrifice his body to make a catch. He could challenge to split time at WR3 later this year and be a solid WR3 from year 2 on.