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Tez Johnson was pure electricity when he touched the ball at Oregon. Despite his smaller frame, the guy could flat-out explode with the ball in his hands. While he initially caught passes from his adopted brother Bo Nix, Johnson’s production actually took off when Dillon Gabriel started slinging him the rock. Unfortunately, a disappointing NFL combine performance nearly sent him tumbling completely out of the draft altogether.
The Bucs snagged Johnson in the seventh round – a pick that raised some eyebrows across the league. Tampa’s already stacked at receiver with veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin leading the charge. They even spent a first-rounder on Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, making Johnson’s selection seem even more puzzling at first glance.
So what’s the plan for Johnson? According to Scott Reynolds in his recent Pewter Report mailbag, Johnson’s path to the roster runs through special teams – specifically as a return specialist. Todd Bowles’ squad has been putting extra emphasis on improving their punt return game lately, an area where they’ve struggled. That focus could be Johnson’s ticket to making the 53-man roster.
He’s projected as Tampa’s fifth receiver, giving him solid footing if they carry six on the final roster.
Special Teams Value Could Be Johnson’s Golden Ticket
When you’ve dominated the NFC South like Tampa has recently, it’s the little details that keep you on top. The Falcons are coming on strong, the Panthers are rebuilding, and the Saints… well, they’re the Saints. But one surefire way to lose your grip on the division is sloppy special teams play. It’s a phase that doesn’t grab headlines but absolutely swings games.
For Tampa, Johnson represents a tremendous value pick. I personally had him graded as a third or fourth-round talent – watching him fall all the way to round seven was shocking. The Bucs are essentially investing in a heavily discounted asset. While Johnson works on adding some muscle to his frame, Bowles and his staff can find creative ways to utilize his playmaking ability in the return game.
Day-three picks and undrafted rookies know the drill – special teams is your lifeline. It’s how you earn the coaches’ trust and get valuable game reps. If Bowles is already eyeing Johnson as his punt returner, that’s a significant vote of confidence. They drafted him with a specific role in mind, and while it starts on special teams, who knows where it might lead?
The selection that initially had draft analysts scratching their heads might end up looking pretty smart after all. Sometimes it’s those late-round specialists who end up making the biggest impact where you least expect it.
