Tag: Juwan Johnson

Saints free agent rejoining his former coach may be his ‘best fit’

Juwan Johnson’s best option in free agency? It may be rejoining Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos, if he leaves the New Orleans Saints:

Juwan Johnson will be a free agent this upcoming offseason, and there should be serious conversation on whether or not the New Orleans Saints should look to retain Johnson.

If Johnson looks to go elsewhere in free agency, there is one destination in particular that could feel just like home.

The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke sees Johnson’s “best fit” with the Denver Broncos. This would entail Johnson following the footsteps of former teammates Wil Lutz, Adam Trautman, Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Lucas Krull and others by joining former head coach Sean Payton.

Familiarity in the system would benefit Johnson by removing the need to learn a new system. Johnson and Payton were paired for two seasons, followed by another two seasons with Pete Carmichael after Payton’s retirement. Until this past year, this was the only professional offense Johnson played in.

Outside of familiarity, Brooke also sees Johnson as the potential middle of the field target Denver is missing. His ability to become the Broncos’ middle of the field target would come down to utilization versus ability.

New Orleans didn’t have a great middle of the field presence in the passing game. Spencer Rattler used the tight ends more than Derek Carr, so maybe Carr’s preference for targeting wide receivers was the biggest reason Johnson was limited over the middle.

Johnson has flashed that ability at times in New Orleans to be a threat on crossing routes and running up the seams. He is a former wide receiver whose skillset would allow him to provide that to Denver. It’s just about the frequency.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

PFF shockingly lists Saints veteran as best TE in free agency

PFF recently listed New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson as the best player at the position in free agency. Are they correct?

The New Orleans Saints waited years for Juwan Johnson to break out to become the star tight end they needed him to be. While he never really worked out with them, could he be on his way to a big pay day simply because of a weak market in free agency?

Pro Football Focus recently released their ranking of every tight end available this offseason and Juwan Johnson took the top spot. The players listed behind him are Mike Gesicki of the Cincinnati Bengals and Tyler Conklin from the New York Jets.

Johnson would not be viewed as the best player in every free agent class, but this certainly isn’t one with a ton of competition.

The former Penn State Nittany Lions and Oregon Ducks star gets a little bit of grace for the weak start of his career, as he was a pure wide receiver in college and needed time to transition, but still wasn’t a huge receiving threat out of the tight end spot. At least not consistently.

His best season came in 2022 when he had 42 catches for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s been massively inconsistent since then, though, failing to capitalize on the momentum. So far in his career, he has 146 catches for 1,622 yards and 18 scores across five seasons. That kind of production might be attractive to the right team on the open market.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints free agent preview: TE Juwan Johnson, stay or go?

Previewing free agency for the New Orleans Saints: Should they retain tight end Juwan Johnson, or let him walk in the 2025 offseason?

The New Orleans Saints 2024 season wrapped up in pretty poor fashion, and now they look ahead to the 2025 offseason, free agency, and the NFL draft. They have quite a few free agents this offseason, however many are not their top producers, so that makes things a little easier on the pockets considering where they stand with cap space. Restructures will happen, cuts/releases will likely happen as well, and depending on how those go, re-signings and signings may end up being focal points for whoever the new head coach may be.

One of the more notable free agents the Saints have this offseason is tight end Juwan Johnson, who has been with the Saints for five seasons and has been their leading producer at the position for a few years now. With that said, let’s take a look back as his career so far:

Career Stats

Juwan Johnson has never been one of the elite producers at the tight end position, but over the past three seasons he has been solid at racking up yards and has been decent in the redzone, but maybe not as good as you would hope. His rookie year was basically a wash, as he only saw 38% of snaps and 10 targets. In 2021 he was still getting reps as a wide receiver, and only saw 22 targets for 13 receptions, 159 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

From 2022 to 2024 is when he was at his best, across those three years he played in 46 games with 28 starts, had 129 receptions on 190 targets for 14 touchdowns, and caught 67.9% of his targets. 2022 was his best season overall, with 508 receiving yards on 42 receptions and 7 touchdowns, compared to only 3 in 2024.

Snap Counts

The snap counts for Juwan Johnson have been very consistent in his tight end seasons, however in his first two years when he was a wide receiver he only had 182 and 236 snaps in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Since then, he has had 648, 555, and 697 snaps in each season, or 65%, 65%, and 64%. What is worth noting is that in 2024 he only started 5 of the games, compared to 11 in 2023 and 12 in 2022, despite playing all 17 games in 2024 compared to 13 in 2023. Many of his snaps this season came from being healthy, despite Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill getting starts over him.

2024 season review

Juwan Johnson had a very up and down season in 2024, where he had some games in which he was a key contributor, and others in which he was held off the stat sheet. His best game actually came in Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he had 6 receptions on 7 targets for 80 yards (13.3 yards per reception).

The negative on his season was he did end up with 2 fumbles to only 3 touchdowns, both of which are the worst or near the worst of his career (he did have 0 touchdowns his rookie season). With that said, he did lead the team in receiving yards in 2024, with 5 more than Alvin Kamara and 143 more than Foster Moreau. Overall it was an odd season, as yards wise it was a very productive one, but otherwise it was not particularly great.

Future value to Saints

The future value of Juwan Johnson to the Saints is somewhat limited, as he will be 29 years old early in the 2025 season, and has still not really reached the next level of production you would hope for in what is essentially the prime of his career. Foster Moreau ended the season with more touchdowns, more yards per reception, a very similar catch percentage (only 1.4% less), only 6 less first downs, and no fumbles in the process on 23 less targets.

The tight end position is a hard one to get right, but an improvement would definitely be great for the offense of the Saints, and the 2025 NFL Draft class has quite a few quality ones. While it would be nice to have Johnson in a backup role, the room is getting more full by the day.

Stay or go?

Ultimately this signing comes down to price, as keeping Johnson for his ability to get first downs and yards is not a horrible idea, but he is not particularly effective in the redzone. Moreau and Johnson were a nice pairing this season, but one really high quality tight end would make things even more interesting as it could help out the depth deficit at wide receiver. If Johnson is willing to take a deal on the lower end of things with incentives, that would be the best case scenario for New Orleans, however if he receives significant interest elsewhere (presumably from the Denver Broncos and Sean Payton), it would be likely that he will leave.

The likelihood that he stays is almost completely reliant on price tag, but as of now it seems like the Saints may try to find another option to fill out the rotation at tight end.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

PFF: New Orleans Saints biggest draft needs focused in two main areas

Pro Football Focus argues the New Orleans Saints need a lot of help in two main areas in the 2025 NFL draft: catching passes and sacking quarterbacks.

The New Orleans Saints have a lot of holes on the roster to fill, but the biggest ones are focused on pass catchers and the defensive line.

Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness listed out the largest positions of need for each team in the NFL draft. He listed four for the Saints, but they all really focused on those two parts of the field: wide receivers, tight ends, interior defensive linemen and defensive ends.

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are excellent options at wide receiver, but this year proved that you cannot go into the year just with them. Injuries are bad luck, but they both could be considered injury-prone. New Orleans could also use another, bigger body at the position.

At tight end, it would be a need even if Juwan Johnson wasn’t heading into free agency. Johnson had not become the pass catching threat he showed flashes of early and the Saints have lacked a true threat there for too long.

Bryan Bresee showed a lot of growth this season on the defensive interior, but they still need help there. The run defense was awful and Bresee was a culprit. Adding run-stopper to the mix could be a nice pairing with their current youngster’s pass rush skills.

Speaking of the pass rush, the defensive end could be considered their biggest need. Carl Granderson had a hard time finishing sacks, Cameron Jordan is continuing to regress with age and Chase Young is heading to free agency. Going into next year without adding another end would be malpractice.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Spencer Rattler on pace for his best game of rookie year vs. Bucs

Spencer Rattler and the Saints offense put on their best first half since the bye week. Can they finally put together a complete game?

The New Orleans Saints scored 17 points in the first half over the last four weeks. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, they scored 16 points.

Spencer Rattler and the Saints offense in total put on their best first half performance since Derek Carr exited the lineup. Rattler was making pinpoint passes between Buccaneers defenders. Juwan Johnson had a pair of nice catch-and-runs.

Most importantly, the Saints scored on every possession, including a Dante Pettis touchdown catch. It’s just three more points than last week’s first half, but there’s a level of consistency that resembles the second half versus Washington Commanders.

The key here, however, is continuing the progress in the second half. The Saints haven’t put together a complete game of offensive performance since defeating the Cleveland Browns. Rattler has spoken repeatedly about the need to show consistency in his game and follow up a strong first half with a solid second half.

New Orleans has failed to score double-digit points in both halves since their bye week. They’ve even been shut out in at least one half in each of the last three weeks.

If Rattler can sustain this performance, it’ll be the best game of his career and possibly his first victory.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Spencer Rattler was an offensive spotlight in the first half vs. Raiders

Rookie Saints QB Spencer Rattler displayed high efficiency and flashes of playmaking in the first half, closing it with a strong FG drive:

The New Orleans Saints offense only has two scoring drives in the first half, but Spencer Rattler has been very efficient. Rattler only has two incompletions versus the Las Vegas Raiders, and one of those incompletions was a throwaway to get the field goal team on the field.

With a little over the minute, Rattler led the Saints deep into Raiders territory and a field goal that closed the gap at halftime. He delivered a big throw to Kevin Austin in the face of pressure that put them in comfortable range for Blake Grupe.

Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau were also recipients of big throws down the field from Rattler. Penalties took potential scoring plays off the board twice. While the defense had a goal line stand that kept the Raiders’ point total down, the Saints could have at least three more points if they limited self inflicted mistakes.

Penalties aside, Rattler is performing the way you want him to in the first half. He’s displaying more poise under pressure than last week and showing the ability to use his legs effectively in a similar fashion that he did versus the Commanders.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

New Orleans Saints have two impending free agents among NFL’s Top 50

The New Orleans Saints have two impending free agents among the Top 50 preview from Pro Football Focus, but would either of them be a big loss?

The New Orleans Saints have been one of the worst team’s in football as of late, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still talent on the roster.

It is almost impossible to project what Mickey Loomis and Co. in the Saints front office will do next season, but handing out a lot of extensions can seemingly be ruled out.

Among the list of players that are set to hit free agency next season, Pro Football Focus listed two New Orleans players in the Top 50 set to be available.

Tight end Juwan Johnson was the highest-rated Saint at No. 37 overall. Here is what they had to say about the pass catcher:

“There will be slim pickings at the tight end position in free agency this offseason, but Johnson offers a large catch radius and good hands over the middle, critical on third down and in the red zone. His 17 touchdowns over the past four seasons ranks eighth among tight ends, and his 8.9-yard average depth of target ranks seventh, illustrating he is not just a check-down outlet but a true downfield threat at the position.”

It may seem harsh to say, but Johnson has always seemed like a better player on paper than on the field. He was an exciting wide receiver-turned-tight end, but hasn’t panned out. The 28-year-old has 38 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns this year. New Orleans likely won’t miss him too bad.

Next up on the list was defensive end Chase Young at No. 49. This was what PFF said about Young:

“Young signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Saints after he was traded at last year’s deadline from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers. Through Week 13, he was a top-30 edge defender in total quarterback pressures (41) and pressure rate (12.6%). He may not be the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate he looked like as a prospect ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, but Young is still a high-end No. 2 edge rusher for any team in need.”

The former second-overall selection was a bit of a surprising signing in the offseason and has not been super impactful on the field since coming over. He is a player that generate pressure, but rarely closes out. His 5.5 sacks is good for a tie at second-place on the defense, but that says more about the unit than it does the player.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints rule out 4 ahead of Week 16 MNF showdown vs. Packers

No big surprises on the New Orleans Saints’ final injury report, but a few stars were ruled out ahead of Monday Night Football with the Green Bay Packers:

There aren’t many surprises on the New Orleans Saints’ final injury report of the week. Ahead of their game against the Green Bay Packers, the Saints ruled out four players and listed one as questionable.

Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave were all ruled out, but that was the expected procedure for all three players. Darren Rizzi said Carr and Kamara were going to miss the Monday night matchup earlier this week.

Olave was designated to return from injured reserve, but a return to action this week shouldn’t have been expected.

Juwan Johnson and Chase Young elevated to full participants on Saturday and have no injury designation. Johnson followed this same path last week. He was limited the first two days of practice before being a full participant on the final day.

Bub Means was the last player ruled out, and the expectation is he will go back to injured reserve after a setback. The injury report closes out with Marquez Valdes-Scantling designated as questionable with a chest injury and illness.

Image

Spencer Rattler weighs in on what went wrong during Saints’ two-point try

Spencer Rattler voiced his thoughts on the Saints going for two points, and what went wrong in the pivotal attempt:

Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans Saints did not get the outcome they were after when they faced the Washington Commanders, falling 20-19 at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday afternoon.

One of the biggest talking points after a game that was much more closely contested than it was originally expected to be was the insane way it ended. Rattler and the Saints scored a touchdown with no time remaining to defy the odds in a comeback effort.

But, some may say interim coach Darren Rizzi got a little too greedy there at the end, which would have likely otherwise been termed “playing to win” if things had worked out.

The aggressive effort to go for two points and the win instead of kicking the extra point and sending the game to overtime did not pay off. And, of course it yielded some criticism. That’s how these things go.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who took over for a benched Jake Haener after roughly two quarters of action, gave his thoughts on the mentality behind going for it all at the end of the game.

“We knew before the drive. We wanted to go down there and win the game. I think that’s the mindset our whole team had,” Rattler told reporters after the game. “I’m proud of the team, nobody flinched that whole game.”

He didn’t have any quibble with it and made clear that this wasn’t a last-minute decision, but rather one that the Saints went into the possession having made up already.

After the Foster Moreau touchdown, Rattler was unable to locate an open target in the end zone, and a fastball to Juwan Johnson fell incomplete when the tight end dropped the ball.

“I thought Juwan got held,” Rattler added, “but there are good players in this league. It is tough to make those plays. I liked the aggression. I liked what we did there.”

Something to watch as the Saints head down the final stretch of the schedule is if they will roll with Rattler permanently until Carr is able to return from injury. Rizzi has not given any clear indication as to who will be taking  snaps for the Saints moving forward.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints share good news on final injury report vs. Washington Commanders

The New Orleans Saints shared good news on Alvin Kamara with their final injury report for Week 15’s game against the Washington Commanders:

Here we go. The New Orleans Saints shared good news on Alvin Kamara with their final injury report for Week 15’s game against the Washington Commanders. Kamara missed the first two days of practice recovering from an illness, but the star running back worked out fully on Friday and has no game status listed for Sunday’s kickoff — he’ll be leading the charge like he has all year.

A couple of Saints players were listed with game statuses worth watching, though. Starting quarterback Derek Carr (left hand/concussion) is doubtful to play after missing practice this week. Veteran defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) has been working his way back from the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and is officially questionable for Sunday’s game. Rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle), who is on injured reserve, has been ruled out along with backup linebacker D’Marco Jackson (ankle).

As for the other side? Former Saints Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is expected to play and make his Washington Commanders debut after missing the last month with that soft-tissue injury, having been dealt at the NFL trade deadline. Of course he’s debuting against his former team. Additionally, Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (kidney) has been ruled out, and three of his teammates are questionable: defensive tackle Daron Payne (back), wide receiver Jamison Crowder (calf), and kicker Zane Gonzalez (left foot).

Here is the final injury report from both teams:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]