The Added Extras
While receivers should look to generate most of their value through their ability to separate, they can add further value in a number of ways. It should be fairly clear that Johnson is probably not going to be winning many red zone jump-balls, at least not an abnormal number, but he does offer some value after the catch. He not only puts the speed and quickness he showed as a route runner to good effect, but he also demonstrated good open-field vision allowing him to generate space rather than just looking to run into what is in front of him:
However, as the Panthers realized at times this season with DJ Moore, always looking to gain yards after the catch can sometimes create some ball concern issues, and Johnson needs to make sure that he doesn’t expose the ball in his attempts to add extra yards:
As a blocker, he does show some willingness:
But this is probably something he needs to work on from a technique and awareness point of view:
There aren’t any complete receivers in this draft class and Johnson will face challenges in terms of expanding his route tree and getting off the line consistently against more experienced and savvy NFL defensive backs, but his potential as a route runner and his ability to get off the line and get vertical quickly should give him as good a chance of consistently separating as any receiver in this draft class.
There are enough questions in terms of the steps he will have to take for me to not have him right at the top of my receiver board, but there should be no mistaking him as anything other than one of my favorite receivers going in the draft. That isn’t something the Panthers are likely as interested in as some other teams, but with Johnson largely going under the radar to this point, there is a chance he could fall into the range where the Panthers might consider a receiver, and at that point his talent should make him very hard to pass on.
Grade: High Third Round
Best Case Pro Comparison: Emmanuel Sanders
