The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Minnesota receiver Tyler Johnson:
What he can do
– Not an elite athlete on tape but consistently finds ways to get open; didn’t work out at the NFL Scouting Combine or participate in a Pro Day, so his testing numbers are unknown
– Shows average straight-line speed and acceleration; lacks that extra burst
– Polished route runner with little to no wasted movements; sells double moves effectively; master at in-breaking routes
– Classic possession receiver and red zone weapon; won’t break many tackles but always seems to find holes in zone coverage; contested catches are all over his tape
– Struggled getting off press when jammed at the line of scrimmage
– Has experience both out wide and in the slot; played primarily from the slot in 2019 to give him more free releases
– Willing blocker in the run game
– Struggled with drops; had 24 drops on 238 catchable passes over his career, according to Pro Football Focus
– Turn on his tape against Auburn in the 2020 Outback Bowl and watch him go to work out of the slot; in his final collegiate game, recorded 12 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns
– Finished his career as Minnesota’s all-time leader in receiving yards (3,305) and receiving touchdowns (33)
How he fits
The Packers have a need for a primary slot receiver, but would ideally add a player with more athleticism than Johnson. That said, Green Bay struggled to attack the middle of the field in the passing game last season, an area Johnson excelled at in college. His knack for finding holes in the zone and getting open on broken plays would bode well with how Aaron Rodgers plays the game.
NFL comp
Many analysts believe he compares favorably to Davante Adams. Both excel in getting open through their route running and by setting up defenders at the line of scrimmage. Adams is far better at releasing off the line at this point in his career, but Johnson has a good foundation to build on.
Where Packers could get him
Likely in the third or fourth round. Spending their third-round pick (No. 94) wouldn’t be the worst idea, especially if they didn’t take a receiver earlier in the draft. Johnson is one of the “safer” receiver prospects. Because of his low ceiling, he may not be drafted in the top 100, but he’ll still be a valuable Day 2 pick.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Josh Uche
CB Trevon Diggs
DB Terrell Burgess
OLB Terrell Lewis
CB A.J. Terrell
WR Quintez Cephus
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
QB Jalen Hurts