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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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 28: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Dedrick Mackey #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 28, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 28: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Dedrick Mackey #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 28, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Conclusion

No one is saying that Johnson is going to be Michael Thomas, but the New Orleans Saints All-Pro had some of the same pros and cons coming out of Ohio State. Thomas was not the best athlete, but he had solid size and good production. Thomas has developed into perhaps the best wide receiver in the game today by perfecting his route running, which is Johnson’s best path to success.

He’ll never be the biggest or the fastest receiver, but Johnson can be the craftiest. It’s clear how talented of a route runner he is, but he’s not even close to reaching his ceiling there. Expecting Johnson to come in and be a team’s #1 target is unfair, but he should be able to play a complementary role as a rookie, and that’s good value for a player whose 2020 NFL Draft stock is extremely volatile at the moment.

Next. 5 prospects for the Cowboys to replace Travis Frederick. dark

He’s being mocked anywhere from the second round all the way to the sixth. Many analysts view Johnson in many different ways, but all that matters is how NFL teams view him, and we’ll find out in less than a month. Tyler Johnson may be buried in an excellent wide receiver class, but he could very well come out as one of the best receivers of this group, leaving fans to wonder why he wasn’t drafted earlier.

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