Bucs Select WR Tyler Johnson With No. 161 Pick in NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Minnesota WR Tyler Johnson at No. 161 overall the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected WR Tyler Johnson with the 161st pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Born and raised in Minnesota, Johnson played quarterback and defensive back at North Community High School in Minneapolis, MN. After the Polars won just two games during his freshman year, Johnson helped them advance to the State Championship game as senior. A three-star prospect, Johnson committed to Minnesota after considering offers from Wisconsin, Iowa and Iowa State.

After committing to his hometown Golden Gophers, Johnson converted to a wide receiver and caught 14 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown as a true freshman. Despite missing two games due to a hand injury, his production increased as a sophomore as he finished with 35 catches for 677 yards and seven scores during the 2017 season.

Johnson earned First-Team All-Big 10 honors as a junior in 2018, pulling in 78 receptions for a school record 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’d repeat All-Big 10 as a senior, and ranked among the nation’s top receivers with 86 receptions for 1,318 yards and 13 scores. Johnson finished his Golden Gophers career with 213 catches, 3,305 receiving yards, 33 touchdowns, and the owner of several University of Minnesota receiving records.

The main weakness to Johnson’s game is a lack of speed. He doesn’t have a second gear to pull away from defensive backs and doesn’t have the pure speed to threaten a defense deep. What Johnson (6-foot-1, 206 pounds) lacks in speed he makes up for with physicality. He plays much bigger than his size and often overwhelms defenders with his strength and agility.

Johnson tracks the ball well in mid-air, has a good feel for opposing coverage and has terrific hands. He has excellent instincts to find the open spot in zones and will muscle for extra yards after the catch. With lots of NCAA experience, Johnson has a skill set to be an NFL starter.

2019 stats (Senior; Minnesota): 1,318 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns (13 games)

2018 stats (Junior; Minnesota): 1,169 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns (13 games)

2017 stats (Sophomore; Minnesota): 677 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns (10 games)

2016 stats (Freshman; Minnesota): 141 receiving yards, 1 touchdown (7 games)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers stats to know

• Jameis Winston led the NFL in interception (30). On the positive side, he tied for the league lead in pass attempts (626) while delivering the most passing yards (5,127) and completions over 20 yards (75).
• Chris Godwin led the league in catches (25) over 20 yards while ranking second at WR in receiving yards per game (95.2).
• The Bucs’ WRs finished in yards per catch (15.99), receiving yards (3,566), and TDs (26).
• Tampa’ RB gained only 3.68 yards per carry (30th).
• Both the Bucs’ offense allowed seven TDs and the defense scored seven TDs.

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