This preseason has been hit or miss for Tyron Johnson. While he led the team in receiving in the first game, he also had a couple miscues as well, including a missed block that led to a tackle for loss and a dropped deep pass.
His two catches were big — one was a 14-yard grab on third-and-11 and the other was a 25-yard deep ball.
Those occasional big plays are what he’s known. But it’s all he’s known for. And unfortunately, the incomplete nature of his game is also what he’s known for. He is trying to change that.
“[I’ve] been a fast guy,” said Johnson. “That’s all people talk about ‘Oh, he’s fast, he’s fast’ but end of the day I just want to have the overall game as far as route running, route depth, blocking. I just want to showcase that I can do a lot more things than just speed.”
That speed is how he broke into the NFL with the Chargers in 2020. But the lack of an overall game is why he didn’t stick there.
He is fortunate, however, to be able to work with a couple of the most technically sound receivers in the league.
“It helps when I played with guys like Keenan Allen and Davante Adams,” Johnson continued. “Just taking a piece from their game to yours will shoot it up. So, at the end of the day, I just try to work on my deficiencies in the offseason. Stopping and route running. Because I know I can run fast, but at the end of the day it’s about getting open.”
Johnson notes that what makes Adams special is that he gets open without using speed. That Adams uses “deception” in the form of head faking and hip movement. Something he’s been trying to develop.
Along with some words of confidence from his head coach this training camp. Johnson got possibly his biggest vote of confidence when the team released veteran Demarcus Robinson. Thus showing they see Johnson as being among their top five receivers.
In the end, it may be all the Raiders need from Tyron is for him to stretch the field with his speed. Whether he sees the field more than just the occasional go-route will depend on if he’s able to successfully continue to develop his game.
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