Draft Analysis: Tez Johnson

February 10, 2025 /
  • Height: 5’10”
  • Weight: 160 lb
  • College: Oregon
  • Tape watched: Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Penn State
  • NFL Comparison: Tank Dell

Pros

  • Agility

One of the twitchiest receivers in the 2025 class, Tez Johnson is a headache to track sideline to sideline. Forcing 37 missed tackles over the last two seasons places Johnson as an elite YAC receiver.

  • Route Running

Tez Johnson is a refined route runner at all levels. He can eat up leverage in off coverage, bend through zone coverage, or shake off press-man coverage. Johnson was used mostly between the sticks, enabling him to find space quickly and let him go to work with the football in his hands. He also absorbs contact well for a slighter receiver.

  • Speed

Likely not nearly as fast as Xavier Worthy, but Johnson does share similarities. Tez Johnson can bend a tight edge on the sideline and score. Quick slants are opportunities for Johnson to split defenders and turn 5 yards into 50.

Midline

  • Hands

Plagued with seven drops in 2023, Tez Johnson improved that number to only three in 2024. His focus seems to be the root cause of most drops his way, eager to take off and run before securing the ball. He is a natural hand catcher and he tracks the ball over his shoulders well too.

  • Release

Excellent body control and footwork, Tez Johnson impressed at the Senior Bowl. He dominated 1v1 reps, including press situations with much larger defenders. Playing in the slot helps, but Tez has plenty of burst and lateral agility to beat press coverage.

Cons

  • Blocking

Johnson can offer effort, but that is where the positives end. He can be late to his assignments where just getting in the way would help the ball carrier pick up extra yards. He can lead with his shoulders at times as well. A primary slot player could find his role reduced on early and short yardage downs.

  • Size

Likely falling short of my preferred 5’10”, 180 lb threshold, Tez Johnson is a very thin receiver. He will face the same hurdles Tank Dell, Josh Downs, and Zay Flowers have started to see with injuries. The NFL is a big-man’s game, and you can only elude the wear and tear for so long at his size.

Overview

Tez Johnson is by far one of the most fun receivers in the class. He is a bolt of lighting that is dynamic with the football. He is a polished route runner with plenty of pro-level competition experience.

A primary slot receiver, Johnson leaves Oregon with an impressive 169 receptions, 2,080 yards, and 20 touchdowns. His biggest question mark is his size and health, to which he has played in 11 or more games every season in college. I expect an NFL team to take their chance with the playmaker in the late first round.