4. THEO JOHNSON, Penn State (6-6, 261, 4.62, 3-4): Helped himself at the combine with a solid 40, a 39 ½-inch vertical jump and a position-best short shuttle of 4.19. “I’d rather take a shot on him than Sanders,” one scout said. “He’s on the upside. He’s got assertiveness with his blocking but he’s not consistent with his blocking. He can make hard, adjusting catches but he can’t run after the catch. He doesn’t make people miss in space.” Started 29 of 45 games over four years, finishing with 77 receptions for 938 (12.2) and 12 TDs. “He’s a little bit intriguing,” said another scout. “He’s a big guy. He’s fast. He’ll give you effort as a blocker. He’s much improved in that area. He’s got ball skills. He’s a really clunky mover, a really unnatural route runner. He’s Canadian, so he’s raw. I thought he might go back to school. If somebody really wants one they might take him in the third but I don’t think he’s worth that.” From Windsor, Ontario.
PFF - Johnson brings plus size to the tight end position, ranking above the 70th percentile in height and weight. His long arms are an advantage when he is blocking edge rushers and hauling in passes. He has decent build-up and long speed when getting vertical up the seam, but he lacks the difference-making change-of-direction ability, which limits his route tree.
He makes his money from an inline spot as a versatile blocker and pass catcher in heavier formations. He is a strong blocker when he targets defenders between the shoulders, but he can sometimes get crossed up (another area where his limited lateral ability shows).
Good hands but not sudden or powerful or agile. I know he has a high RAS but it doesn’t show. Gives you nothing after the catch. Not a fan of this pick
Johnson possesses the position versatility to be used in multiple personnel groups and schemes because of his ability to play attached and detached, especially in the slot and use in the red zone as matchup problem for opposing defenses. His ability to block allows him to be to be either a primary TE or secondary TE in multiple TE sets.
Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.
He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.
Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE. Full Report - ( New Window )
Highlighted Theo before the pick with his Next Gen stats before the pick was announced. They said they were going to look at Cedric Gray highlights. A bit of a mishap.
reminds me a lot of kevin boss (raw but good size/athlete)
i dont love the pick but i think like boss he can be a contributing TE.
"A three-year starter at Penn State, Johnson was a versatile tight end in former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s RPO-based scheme, splitting his time
between inline (47.9 percent), slot (38.8 percent) and wide (9.8 percent).
A wide receiver in high school in Canada, he faced a steep transition moving to tight end at State College and didn’t have a 100-yard receiving performance in 45 college games (and reached 75 yards just once). But his production steadily climbed each season, and he led the Nittany Lions in touchdown grabs in 2023.
Johnson is quick off the ball and builds his speed downfield, giving his quarterback a big tar get with his size, strong hands and athletic catch radius. As a blocker, he doesn’t embarrass himself but needs to better understand leverage and develop more of a glass-chewing mentality.
Overall, Johnson has inconsistent college tape and production, but he has A-plus measurements and smooth athletic tools that could allow him to continue developing and become a better pro than college player. Although he is a work in progress, he is a worthy long-term investment for an NFL team."
Johnson possesses the position versatility to be used in multiple personnel groups and schemes because of his ability to play attached and detached, especially in the slot and use in the red zone as matchup problem for opposing defenses. His ability to block allows him to be to be either a primary TE or secondary TE in multiple TE sets.
Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.
He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.
Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE. Full Report - ( New Window )
sounds very boss-y to me. another solid single/double but i think i may have swung for the fences (dorlus or wright).
The Waller trade because I watched a lot of Raiders games and the dude was always injured must know that he plans to retire must be waiting for a certain pay off date to be reached.
It's incredible. They have to start being careful about this moving forward.
Quote:
maybe we should go back to calling them top 30?
It's incredible. They have to start being careful about this moving forward.
id rather this then toney/baker stuff where we dont even know anything about them. seems like a worthy tradeoff.
& good riddance.
4. THEO JOHNSON, Penn State (6-6, 261, 4.62, 3-4): Helped himself at the combine with a solid 40, a 39 ½-inch vertical jump and a position-best short shuttle of 4.19. “I’d rather take a shot on him than Sanders,” one scout said. “He’s on the upside. He’s got assertiveness with his blocking but he’s not consistent with his blocking. He can make hard, adjusting catches but he can’t run after the catch. He doesn’t make people miss in space.” Started 29 of 45 games over four years, finishing with 77 receptions for 938 (12.2) and 12 TDs. “He’s a little bit intriguing,” said another scout. “He’s a big guy. He’s fast. He’ll give you effort as a blocker. He’s much improved in that area. He’s got ball skills. He’s a really clunky mover, a really unnatural route runner. He’s Canadian, so he’s raw. I thought he might go back to school. If somebody really wants one they might take him in the third but I don’t think he’s worth that.” From Windsor, Ontario.
PFF - Johnson brings plus size to the tight end position, ranking above the 70th percentile in height and weight. His long arms are an advantage when he is blocking edge rushers and hauling in passes. He has decent build-up and long speed when getting vertical up the seam, but he lacks the difference-making change-of-direction ability, which limits his route tree.
He makes his money from an inline spot as a versatile blocker and pass catcher in heavier formations. He is a strong blocker when he targets defenders between the shoulders, but he can sometimes get crossed up (another area where his limited lateral ability shows).
Maybe this year, more of them had positive visits and the way the draft and board fell just worked out to 100% instead of 50%
Looked at your Mock Draft
Quote:
maybe we should go back to calling them top 30?
It's incredible. They have to start being careful about this moving forward.
How does it compare to other teams? Unless they are an outlier with their drafting then I don’t see how this is an issue.
Link - ( New Window )
Quote:
When it isn’t on TV yet?
Looked at your Mock Draft
Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.
He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.
Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE.
Full Report - ( New Window )
Quote:
maybe we should go back to calling them top 30?
It's incredible. They have to start being careful about this moving forward.
+1
Quote:
Mr. Waller.
& good riddance.
Addition by subtraction.
"A three-year starter at Penn State, Johnson was a versatile tight end in former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s RPO-based scheme, splitting his time
between inline (47.9 percent), slot (38.8 percent) and wide (9.8 percent).
A wide receiver in high school in Canada, he faced a steep transition moving to tight end at State College and didn’t have a 100-yard receiving performance in 45 college games (and reached 75 yards just once). But his production steadily climbed each season, and he led the Nittany Lions in touchdown grabs in 2023.
Johnson is quick off the ball and builds his speed downfield, giving his quarterback a big tar get with his size, strong hands and athletic catch radius. As a blocker, he doesn’t embarrass himself but needs to better understand leverage and develop more of a glass-chewing mentality.
Overall, Johnson has inconsistent college tape and production, but he has A-plus measurements and smooth athletic tools that could allow him to continue developing and become a better pro than college player. Although he is a work in progress, he is a worthy long-term investment for an NFL team."
Maybe something to do with the delay and where people live?
That’s pretty ridiculous. Hitting a top 10 pick guess is one thing, hitting multiples in the 70s and 100s is pretty nuts.
Why, is Johnson known for being soft?
This will round out our offensive weapons and provide a two way threat at tight end.
You do know this is the 4th round, right?
Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.
He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.
Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE. Full Report - ( New Window )
sounds very boss-y to me. another solid single/double but i think i may have swung for the fences (dorlus or wright).
It feels NOTHING like Derek Brown. We took that loser in the first round.
They just selected this guy at 107. Not sure the point you’re trying to make has any merit.
What can we do with that cash?
Lots of better players on the board. The Giants suck and haven't hit on one of these "upside" picks... Ever?
His film is good too, he just wasn’t utilized much at PSU.
Bellinger was still better than people realize last year.
caught 25 of 28 targets his way. just 3 incompletions when the ball was thrown to him.
with waller he got a more grunt work role that i dont think suited him great.
More production in college should have been there.