The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their fifth-round pick in last week’s NFL draft to select Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson, hoping the 6-foot-2 receiver can develop into a reliable third receiver after the team lost Breshad Perriman to the Jets in free agency.
Johnson will join an already crowded receiving group that includes Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as players like Justin Watson, Scotty Miller and Bryant Mitchell.
Mel Kiper of ESPN wasn’t a big fan of the Johnson pick by Tampa Bay, but Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus identified Johnson as one of 10 underrated draft picks who could turn into gems for the teams that drafted them.
Per Renner:
“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.”
Johnson is super talented, and the fact that he ended up in Tampa Bay is a win-win for both him and the Bucs. For Johnson, he gets to learn from Evans and Godwin, while perfecting his game working with Brady. For the Bucs, they can bring Johnson along slowly given the depth they have at the receiver position. But, I have feeling Bruce Arians and Jason Licht didn’t draft Johnson to just sit around and watch. He’ll get his opportunities next season, and it sounds like he’ll turn a few heads when he does.
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