Welcome to Tampa Tez Johnson

[Grahamburn]

Fun to watch.

[__Chef__]

Exhibit A: Gamespeed vs combine speed.

[GoldenBudda]

Exhibit A: Gamespeed vs combine speed.

The 4.51 in underwear is completely irrelevant. He has borderline elite game speed.

[MRM]

If you didn't see the piece College GameDay did on him last season, I'd find it and check it out. The family of Bo Nix took him in at an early age and raised him. He considers Nix to be his brother. A good kid that had a rough start and ended up in a good situation. I'll be rooting for him to make the team.

[Ken]

I think he more than makes the team. If we're concerned about his size, I think he's proven over the last several years to be durable and productive. Apparently there are places he had a 3rd-4th round grade. I think he's a roster lock as a special teamer and a rotational receiver. He's not some speed merchant that they are trying to teach how to run routes and get open. He's a guy who gets separation and makes plays with the ball in his hands. The more I see, the more I like about him.

[GoldenBudda]

I think he more than makes the team. If we're concerned about his size, I think he's proven over the last several years to be durable and productive. Apparently there are places he had a 3rd-4th round grade. I think he's a roster lock as a special teamer and a rotational receiver. He's not some speed merchant that they are trying to teach how to run routes and get open. He's a guy who gets separation and makes plays with the ball in his hands. The more I see, the more I like about him.

He was 101 on NFLDraftbuzz website FWIW. That would be late 4th round. I was surprised to see him still available in the 7th. I thought he'd be gone by then.

He got bad advice running the 40 when he has great speed on film. Being undersized he may well have fallen regardless. I like the production and the floor looks like starting punt returner and reserve WR. I'm happy with that for a 7th rounder

[Ken]

I think he more than makes the team. If we're concerned about his size, I think he's proven over the last several years to be durable and productive. Apparently there are places he had a 3rd-4th round grade. I think he's a roster lock as a special teamer and a rotational receiver. He's not some speed merchant that they are trying to teach how to run routes and get open. He's a guy who gets separation and makes plays with the ball in his hands. The more I see, the more I like about him.

He was 101 on NFLDraftbuzz website FWIW. That would be late 4th round. I was surprised to see him still available in the 7th. I thought he'd be gone by then.

He got bad advice running the 40 when he has great speed on film. Being undersized he may well have fallen regardless. I like the production and the floor looks like starting punt returner and reserve WR. I'm happy with that for a 7th rounder

As for the first part, 101 is like the first pick of the 4th. Pick 96 is the last regular pick of the 3rd and then there are usually comp picks. So borderline 3rd rounder from them.

[Grahamburn]

Tank Dell seems like a good comp. He was a 3rd round pick. I do also wonder if Tez hadn't run the 40 at the combine if he'd been taken higher? For him to weigh in at 154 and then only run 4.55 killed his stock. His explosion and agility scores are elite.

[Bootz]

I think he more than makes the team. If we're concerned about his size, I think he's proven over the last several years to be durable and productive. Apparently there are places he had a 3rd-4th round grade. I think he's a roster lock as a special teamer and a rotational receiver. He's not some speed merchant that they are trying to teach how to run routes and get open. He's a guy who gets separation and makes plays with the ball in his hands. The more I see, the more I like about him.

He was 101 on NFLDraftbuzz website FWIW. That would be late 4th round. I was surprised to see him still available in the 7th. I thought he'd be gone by then.

He got bad advice running the 40 when he has great speed on film. Being undersized he may well have fallen regardless. I like the production and the floor looks like starting punt returner and reserve WR. I'm happy with that for a 7th rounder

He's 154 pounds. If he didn't run the 40, teams would likely remove him from their board. No chance he was going higher than he went had he sat out the 40.

[Grahamburn]

He was 101 on NFLDraftbuzz website FWIW. That would be late 4th round. I was surprised to see him still available in the 7th. I thought he'd be gone by then.

He got bad advice running the 40 when he has great speed on film. Being undersized he may well have fallen regardless. I like the production and the floor looks like starting punt returner and reserve WR. I'm happy with that for a 7th rounder

He's 154 pounds. If he didn't run the 40, teams would likely remove him from their board. No chance he was going higher than he went had he sat out the 40.

He could have made sure to come in heavy and then not ran it though.

[Bootz]

He's 154 pounds. If he didn't run the 40, teams would likely remove him from their board. No chance he was going higher than he went had he sat out the 40.

He could have made sure to come in heavy and then not ran it though.

That honestly might have benefit him more, if he showed he was adding some weight.

[Primeminister]

The hell with all of you for making me get excited about a midget 7th rounder. Goddamn it!!

[Bootz]

Tank Dell seems like a good comp. He was a 3rd round pick. I do also wonder if Tez hadn't run the 40 at the combine if he'd been taken higher? For him to weigh in at 154 and then only run 4.55 killed his stock. His explosion and agility scores are elite.

Tank Dell is about an inch shorter but he weighted 10+ pounds more than Johnson at the combine. Dell also had better times than Johnson, a sub 4.5 40 and what really sticks out is the difference in their 10 yard splits (1.49 for Dell vs 1.53 for Johnson).

Additionally, with Dell being a good comp, you have to look at how his career has gone. 2023 ended with a broken leg. 2024 ended with a potentially career ending knee injury. That likely gives teams pause before they draft someone who's smaller than Dell is, given that he's had trouble withstanding the punishment of NFL football.

[Grahamburn]

Tank Dell seems like a good comp. He was a 3rd round pick. I do also wonder if Tez hadn't run the 40 at the combine if he'd been taken higher? For him to weigh in at 154 and then only run 4.55 killed his stock. His explosion and agility scores are elite.

Tank Dell is about an inch shorter but he weighted 10+ pounds more than Johnson at the combine. Dell also had better times than Johnson, a sub 4.5 40 and what really sticks out is the difference in their 10 yard splits (1.49 for Dell vs 1.53 for Johnson).

Additionally, with Dell being a good comp, you have to look at how his career has gone. 2023 ended with a broken leg. 2024 ended with a potentially career ending knee injury. That likely gives teams pause before they draft someone who's smaller than Dell is, given that he's had trouble withstanding the punishment of NFL football.

Yup. First two years ending on IR I believe. Tez has been hurt too. I'm not expecting much of a contribution. Punt returns and 5th WR on game day at best. We'll see if he can push the bottom of the roster? Either way I feel like the WR room is a lot better than it was going into last year.

[Ken]

For comparison, Tank Dell handled the ball 251 times in college at Houston. Tez Johnson handled it 375 times, with 203 of those being at Pac-12/Big X Oregon. That's a lot more ball handling against bigger and stronger opposition without serious injury.

Furthermore, horrific leg exploding injuries like what happened to Tank Dell can happen to anyone in the NFL. What you worry about more with little guys are the small injuries that bigger players can shake off.

[__Chef__]

The hell with all of you for making me get excited about a midget 7th rounder. Goddamn it!!

The kid has potential.

As I posted in the other thread, he's been solid avoiding injury, and 1300 yards after the catch over the last 2 years?

[Sdbucs]

In timing-based passing attacks, Johnson's expertise in quick-game concepts and option routes makes him a natural fit from the slot. His blend of short-area quickness and spatial awareness against zone coverage shows up consistently on film, particularly in his ability to uncover early in his routes. The tape reveals a receiver who wins through precise footwork and manipulation of defensive leverage rather than pure athleticism.

In the NFL, Johnson will need specific play-calling that maximizes his strengths while protecting him from physical corners. Pre-snap motion and bunch formations can help create free releases, while his natural feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage makes him valuable on crucial downs. His punt return experience provides day-one special teams value as he develops his receiving role.

His size limitations will likely restrict him to slot duties and specific package plays, but his production against top competition suggests he can carve out a role as a dependable third-down target and return specialist. Teams running spread concepts that create space underneath should value his ability to separate quickly and turn short completions into chunk plays. Success at the next level will depend heavily on scheme fit and his ability to maintain durability against NFL physicality.

[Primeminister]

The hell with all of you for making me get excited about a midget 7th rounder. Goddamn it!!

The kid has potential.

As I posted in the other thread, he's been solid avoiding injury, and 1300 yards after the catch over the last 2 years?

Did I include you in my “fuck you” to all the Tez hopium? No? Well consider yourself included.











Now pass me the blunt, asshole.

[__Chef__]

[Primeminister]

Truthfully it doesn’t even look fair lmao. If this kid can get separation we may have a nice problem on our hands. I think we have our WR5 folks. Let’s see a LB try to cover THAT

[Grahamburn]

I’m not going to say weight/size don’t matter, but for WRs it matters less considering the rules now. Can’t touch them. Can’t really hit them.

Having an elite separator at the bottom of the depth chart is a good problem.

[CannonFire]

If he makes the team, I'll be impressed.

[Bootz]

He's going to have to absolutely stand out as a return man and receiver to make the initial 53, especially if Godwin isn't ready to go early in the year.

[GoldenBudda]

Every play from last year. The good. Runs faster with adrenaline pumping. He's a gamer. Creates separation quickly. Very shifty, with ability to make people miss. Great hands catcher. Surprisingly tough for his size. Held his own with DB's. Sees traffic and avoids a lot of big hits. Big play potential return skills.

The bad. Willing to run backwards when overwhelmed on returns and bubble screens, leading to negative plays. Injured from big hit by Michigan LB'er. Will need to have matchups with DB's and will need to avoid those kinds of hits to hold up physically.

Tez is extremely talented, but the injury risk is real. They will need to scheme him into space and hope he avoids the big hit to keep him healthy.

[Snake]

These spark plug types are really hard to predict. NFL corners are so much better than their NCAA counterparts.

[Bootz]

Thanks for the video. This is what stood out for me.

The Good:

He has a feel for where creases are. When he has the ball in his hands, does well avoiding 1st contact and getting the most out of the play. Good route fakes and he doesn't break off his routes too early, although mostly on those quick routes close to the LOS. Doesn't give away too much too soon, which allowed him to get open.

The Bad(things that with some coaching and training on his part he could improve upon)


WAY too methodical and laxadaisical off the snap. I didn't see anyone try to press him, so maybe that's why. Ohio State pressed him some and it did not go in his favor. Smaller receivers with smaller hands are gonna be body catchers more often and he's no exception. He uses his hands when the catch isn't contested or he has a free release and makes those catches. Doesn't protect himself from big hits enough. At 150-160 those hits hurt a lot more at the NFL level.

The Ugly(Tendencies and attributes you can't really coach up, so it is what it is)

Punt returns were HORRID. He went backwards and/or horizontally way too often. He's not quick or fast enough for that. I don't see a great return man here and at the NFL level he's gonna get buried. That catch radius is SMALL. If the catch isn't right there, he is not going to adjust to the ball. He's also not going to win any contested catches.

There's more of course, but those are the the major things that stood out for me. I feel he has an upfield battle making the 53 man roster. I'm not seeing anything that makes him stand out from his peers in similar spots on the depth chart. But he does have the "flavor of the month" thing going for him.


Edit: @Snake said it way more beautifully than I did. NFL corners aren't going to let a 150 pound with minimal speed get a free release. They're gonna use that 5 yard window and knock him on his ass. Ohio State was the only team I saw do that(after the TD catch) and it resulted in a bunch of short dump offs and minimal gains.

[Snake]

Yeah, that’s a good synopsis Bootz. Watching those clips I was thinking the same thing. he’s not getting off the line like that in the NFL.

[mdb1958]

How much time is Mayfield going to get compared to Gabriel.

[__Chef__]

Thanks for the video. This is what stood out for me.

The Good:

He has a feel for where creases are. When he has the ball in his hands, does well avoiding 1st contact and getting the most out of the play. Good route fakes and he doesn't break off his routes too early, although mostly on those quick routes close to the LOS. Doesn't give away too much too soon, which allowed him to get open.

The Bad(things that with some coaching and training on his part he could improve upon)


WAY too methodical and laxadaisical off the snap. I didn't see anyone try to press him, so maybe that's why. Ohio State pressed him some and it did not go in his favor. Smaller receivers with smaller hands are gonna be body catchers more often and he's no exception. He uses his hands when the catch isn't contested or he has a free release and makes those catches. Doesn't protect himself from big hits enough. At 150-160 those hits hurt a lot more at the NFL level.

The Ugly(Tendencies and attributes you can't really coach up, so it is what it is)

Punt returns were HORRID. He went backwards and/or horizontally way too often. He's not quick or fast enough for that. I don't see a great return man here and at the NFL level he's gonna get buried. That catch radius is SMALL. If the catch isn't right there, he is not going to adjust to the ball. He's also not going to win any contested catches.

There's more of course, but those are the the major things that stood out for me. I feel he has an upfield battle making the 53 man roster. I'm not seeing anything that makes him stand out from his peers in similar spots on the depth chart. But he does have the "flavor of the month" thing going for him.


Edit: @Snake said it way more beautifully than I did. NFL corners aren't going to let a 150 pound with minimal speed get a free release. They're gonna use that 5 yard window and knock him on his ass. Ohio State was the only team I saw do that(after the TD catch) and it resulted in a bunch of short dump offs and minimal gains.

I agree with pretty much everything, with the exception of his ability to make people miss. I think this elite trait will translate well to the NFL and lead to chunk plays worthy of a roster spot.

Having said that, I agree he did not look great returning punts. We'd be better off leaving that to Palmer. We'll see.

[Bootz]

Thanks for the video. This is what stood out for me.

The Good:

He has a feel for where creases are. When he has the ball in his hands, does well avoiding 1st contact and getting the most out of the play. Good route fakes and he doesn't break off his routes too early, although mostly on those quick routes close to the LOS. Doesn't give away too much too soon, which allowed him to get open.

The Bad(things that with some coaching and training on his part he could improve upon)


WAY too methodical and laxadaisical off the snap. I didn't see anyone try to press him, so maybe that's why. Ohio State pressed him some and it did not go in his favor. Smaller receivers with smaller hands are gonna be body catchers more often and he's no exception. He uses his hands when the catch isn't contested or he has a free release and makes those catches. Doesn't protect himself from big hits enough. At 150-160 those hits hurt a lot more at the NFL level.

The Ugly(Tendencies and attributes you can't really coach up, so it is what it is)

Punt returns were HORRID. He went backwards and/or horizontally way too often. He's not quick or fast enough for that. I don't see a great return man here and at the NFL level he's gonna get buried. That catch radius is SMALL. If the catch isn't right there, he is not going to adjust to the ball. He's also not going to win any contested catches.

There's more of course, but those are the the major things that stood out for me. I feel he has an upfield battle making the 53 man roster. I'm not seeing anything that makes him stand out from his peers in similar spots on the depth chart. But he does have the "flavor of the month" thing going for him.


Edit: @Snake said it way more beautifully than I did. NFL corners aren't going to let a 150 pound with minimal speed get a free release. They're gonna use that 5 yard window and knock him on his ass. Ohio State was the only team I saw do that(after the TD catch) and it resulted in a bunch of short dump offs and minimal gains.

I agree with pretty much everything, with the exception of his ability to make people miss. I think this elite trait will translate well to the NFL and lead to chunk plays worthy of a roster spot.

Having said that, I agree he did not look great returning punts. We'd be better off leaving that to Palmer. We'll see.

Not sure what part you were reading. I highlighted what I stated about his ability to make people miss. It's in the good section.

[__Chef__]

Not sure what part you were reading. I highlighted what I stated about his ability to make people miss. It's in the good section.

I agreed with that part, the disagreement is in my belief that it is elite, and worthy of a roster spot despite his lackluster kick/punt return traits.

[Bootz]

Not sure what part you were reading. I highlighted what I stated about his ability to make people miss. It's in the good section.

I agreed with that part, the disagreement is in my belief that it is elite, and worthy of a roster spot despite his lackluster kick/punt return traits.

Oh got you. Yea, he looked good making people miss from scrimmage snaps. You can design a package of plays around that ability. He played almost as an extension of Oregon's run game.

I just don't know if that'll be enough to warrant a roster spot because of the return traits.

[__Chef__]

I agreed with that part, the disagreement is in my belief that it is elite, and worthy of a roster spot despite his lackluster kick/punt return traits.

Oh got you. Yea, he looked good making people miss from scrimmage snaps. You can design a package of plays around that ability. He played almost as an extension of Oregon's run game.

I just don't know if that'll be enough to warrant a roster spot because of the return traits.

Out on the edge against DBs, yeah, sometimes they'll win, but the kid will get his fair share too. Seeing him run a ton of screens and looked good there, but I'd like to see the opposite. Trips on one side, let the defense overload there, with Tez on the opposite side with only one or two guys to slip.

Like you said though, they need to keep him away from linebackers, not running into them ...

[GoldenBudda]

Yeah, that’s a good synopsis Bootz. Watching those clips I was thinking the same thing. he’s not getting off the line like that in the NFL.

Not sure I agree. First off, I see Tez as a 3rd down package player operating out of the slot, not an every down player. If you saw the Senior Bowl practices, you saw why he wasn't pressed in college.

His shiftiness and burst got him wide open against press coverage and the majority of the time he was beating press coverage clean at the Senior Bowl. He probably contributed to FSU's Thomas falling in the draft. He exposed him so badly in press coverage.

I think there's a misconception that he's slow because of the 4.5 40 time. His game speed is very good, his 3 cone is elite, which is why he creates separation instantly out of his breaks, and he ran the fastest MPH of any WR at the combine during drills. I see him as a very good part time slot WR.

I'd be surprised if he didn't make the team. I think it will come down to who wins the return job. If he doesn't win the punt return job, he'll probably be a practice squad player.

[Snake]

And yet, a 7th round pick.

We need be realistic about his capabilities.