Entering the 2020 NFL draft, it was clear the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ top priority was finding help up front for newly-signed quarterback Tom Brady. The soon-to-be 43-year-old was sacked just 27 times in New England last year with the Patriots, while the Bucs allowed former quarterback Jameis Winston to be sacked 47 times.
Ultimately, the Bucs got what they wanted in round one, which was one of the draft’s prized tackles (Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs at No. 13). The Bucs added a potential star defender in round two in Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. But, the young safety wasn’t the only Golden Gopher Tampa Bay picked up in the draft. They used their fifth-round pick to take Winfield’s Minnesota teammate, wide receiver Tyler Johnson.
While the Bucs have the luxury of sporting two of the league’s top receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the end to the 2019 season proved the Bucs needed a reliable third option for Brady. Some view Johnson as a potential draft gem, and Aaron Schatz, editor of Football Outsiders, made this bold prediction about Johnson over at ESPN.com.
Per Schatz:
“Fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson will become Tom Brady’s new favorite slot receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won’t put up the numbers of Julian Edelman and Wes Welker, not with all the competition for targets in Tampa Bay, but he’ll gain Brady’s trust. Johnson is a former high school quarterback who runs crisp routes with vision and toughness.”
It’s certainly a bold prediction, but not one that’s entirely unfounded. While Johnson may be just a rookie, tight end Rob Gronkowski (who the Bucs traded for to reunite with Brady) had a stellar game as a rookie that established him as Brady’s guy. Johnson definitely has the talent and skill set to do the same.
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