Could Bucs WR Tyler Johnson Break Through With Fantasy Relevance?

Buccaneers WR Tyler Johnson Dynasty Rookie Analysis

• Draft Position: 5.161 | School: Minnesota
• Height: 6’1” | Weight: 206 pounds
• 2020 Age: 22 | Class: Senior
• Recruitment Stars: 3

I don't want to be hyperbolic, but Johnson has a non-zero chance of being quarterback Tom Brady's starting slot receiver this year. That job is currently occupied by Chris Godwin — but Johnson is a slot savant, and Godwin can line up anywhere.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians is a sharp thinker, and he might decide that — even with Godwin's slot success last year — the team's best three-receiver alignment for 2020 is Mike Evans and Godwin on the perimeter and Johnson in the middle.

It's not likely, but it's possible.

Johnson feels like Brady's kind of receiver. He's not fast or particular agile, but he's maybe the best route runner in the class and strong at making tough catches in traffic.

Even with his lack of athleticism, he has been an outstanding producer for the past three years, especially based on Dominator Rating (a player's market share of team receiving yards and touchdowns, per RV).

• 2017 (10 games): 76.6 PFF, 35-677-7 receiving, 62% Dominator Rating
• 2018 (13 games): 89.6 PFF, 78-1,169-12 receiving, 51% Dominator Rating
• 2019 (13 games): 91.8 PFF, 86-1,318-13 receiving, 40% Dominator Rating

He might have gone late in the draft, but Johnson has the production profile of a first-rounder and the route-running technique of an NFL veteran.

NFL Prospect Comp: Corey Davis with a little less size and far, far less draft capital

More Dynasty Analysis For Freedman’s Top Rookies

1. Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
2. Rams RB Cam Akers
3. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor
4. Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy
5. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Matthew Freedman is the Editor-in-Chief of FantasyLabs, part of The Action Network.