With The First Pick
Fansided

Tyler Johnson: An underrated gem in a historic WR class

By Sam Penix

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a reception in front of cornerback Keaton Ellis #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions before scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 09: Wide receiver Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers makes a reception in front of cornerback Keaton Ellis #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions before scoring a touchdown during the second quarter at TCFBank Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 15: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks during the first quarter of the game on September 15, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Redhawks 26-3. He has been one of the more baffling cases in the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 15: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks during the first quarter of the game on September 15, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Redhawks 26-3. He has been one of the more baffling cases in the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson seems to have been buried in a fantastic 2020 NFL Draft wide receiver class, but he should be a very productive NFL player.

The NFL hasn’t seen a wide receiver class like this in a very long time. Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs III headline the group, but there will be starting-caliber players available well into day-three of the 2020 NFL Draft. One prospect who has been overlooked by many is Minnesota’s Tyler Johnson, whose production is top-tier, and despite lacking the athleticism of other players, he displays the route running and ball skills needed to succeed at the next level.

In high school, Johnson played quarterback and defensive back, but moved to wide receiver upon enrolling at Minnesota. He played in seven games as a freshman, catching 14 passes. As a sophomore he finished with 35 grabs for 677 yards and seven scores, and then took his game to the next level over the next two seasons. In 2018, Johnson logged 78 receptions for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He followed that up with 86 catches for 1,318 yard and 13 touchdowns. Given his relative inexperience at wide receiver, Johnson’s production is quite impressive, and bodes well for his NFL future. Johnson may have played wide receiver for just four years, but his attention to detail is excellent.

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