Rookie Prospect on Tampa Bay Buccaneers Eyeing Start-Up Position Early On
Let's Talk Tez Johnson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tez Johnson, the electric wideout from Oregon, was a force to be reckoned with on the field. Even though he was smaller in stature, Johnson could send shockwaves through defenses with his explosive playmaking abilities. Initially, he caught passes from Bo Nix, but things truly took off when Dillon Gabriel started tossing him the ball. However, an underwhelming NFL Combine performance almost saw him slip out of the draft entirely.
The Bucs swooped in during the seventh round, a move that left many league insiders scratching their heads. Tampa's receiver corps was already stacked, led by veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The selection of Emeka Egbuka with a first-round pick just seemed to thicken the plot.
So, what's in store for Johnson? As per Scott Reynolds in his latest Pewter Report mailbag, Johnson's route to the roster lies primarily in special teams - specifically as a return specialist. The Bucs have been focusing on bolstering their punt return game, an area they've struggled in recently. That focus could just be the key to Johnson securing a spot on the 53-man roster.
He's pegged as Tampa's fifth receiver, giving him a strong foundation if they carry six receiver spots on the final roster.
Special Teams - The Pathway to a Roster Spot
When you're on top of the NFC South like Tampa, it's the small details that keep you there. The Falcons are gaining ground, the Panthers are in rebuild mode, and the Saints... well, the Saints are the Saints. But one surefire way to lose your grip on the division is poor special teams play. It may not grab headlines, but it absolutely swings games.
For Tampa, Johnson represents a tremendous value pick. I personally rated him as a third or fourth-round talent - seeing him fall all the way to round seven was a shock. The Bucs are essentially acquiring a heavily discounted asset. While Johnson works on adding some muscle to his frame, Todd Bowles and his team can devise creative ways to use his playmaking skills in the return game.
Day-three picks and undrafted rookies know the drill - special teams is your lifeline. It's how you earn the coach's trust and secure valuable game reps. If Bowles already has Johnson penciled in as his punt returner, that's a significant vote of confidence. They drafted him with a specific purpose in mind, and while it starts on special teams, the future could be wide open.
The selection that left 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.
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[5] - Sources for Tez Johnson's Background: - College Production: Johnson accumulated 2,080 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns over two seasons at Oregon. - NFL Draft Analysis: Johnson was graded as a third or fourth-round talent by some analysts, making his selection in the seventh round surprising. - Role on the Bucs: Johnson's projected role within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is as a developmental slot receiver and return specialist, providing depth and versatility. - Special Teams Potential: Johnson's speed, elusiveness, and return skills could find him competing for a roster spot on special teams.
[3] - Tez Johnson's Comments: - Johnson expressed enthusiasm for working with Tampa Bay's established receiving corps, acknowledging the challenge of earning playing time in one of the NFL's top passing offenses.
[4] - Enrichment for Special Teams Importance in NFL: - Special teams play significantly impacts NFL games, often swinging outcomes in close contests. - Poor special teams play can cost a team games and even Division titles, particularly in highly competitive divisions like the NFC South. - Day-three picks and undrafted rookies often rely on special teams to secure roster spots and earn valuable playing time. - Creative uses of special teams players can lead to unexpected outcomes and strategic advantages for coaching staffs.
In the cutthroat world of American football, particularly the NFL, Tez Johnson's path to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster may lie in the often overlooked realm of special teams, specifically as a return specialist. His surprising seventh-round draft position doesn't deter his potential in the return game, given his speed and elusiveness, traits that could prove invaluable in a division as competitive as the NFC South.
