Today’s prospect is a prolific MAC target who gained some momentum during Senior Bowl week,
Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bulls
Height: 6-2
Weight: 211 (from Senior Bowl weigh-in)
Jersey: No. 83
Games watched: Miami, Akron, Northern Illinois, Ohio ’17 & 18, Troy, Toledo (in person), Senior Bowl practices (in person)
Overview
Johnson announced his presence in the MAC with authority in 2017, catching 76 passes for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 TDs. He followed that with a 57-catch senior season that still posted over 17 yards per catch while working more from the slot.
Pros
- Hands. Johnson has strong 9-inch hands that quickly secure catches. He consistently catches the ball with his hands away from his frame. There are a couple instances of trapping the ball to his shoulder on lower throws. As an added bonus, he’s used to catching throws from a flamethrower in QB Tyree Jackson.
- Good feet. Johnson generally has crisp, tight footwork on his routes and can release off either foot. He can vary his stride and not lose balance or quickness.
- Physicality. He uses his 6-2 frame nicely to present himself as a big target. Johnson can shed a jam and doesn’t easily get pushed off his route. He can make himself bigger in short-yardage situations, though he’s not as special in the red zone as expected.
- Versatility. The Bulls lined him up all over the formation, including some reps from the backfield. He’s very effective working out of the slot and in twins alignment, usually as the inside receiver. But he can also play the X-receiver.
Cons
- Explosiveness. Johnson is not slow, not by any means. But his acceleration and leaping ability are both just average.
- Blocking. Effort is there, but his technique needs work. Johnson doesn’t use his size or strength as effectively as expected of a guy his size, and his hand placement is often high or late to engage.
- No exceptional trait. Other than being a little bigger than the standard wideout, Johnson doesn’t present any one strong signature trait. His speed, quickness and running after the catch are all acceptable but not exemplary. He’s physical but not a bull, no pun intended.
Overall
Solid if unspectacular wideout with some intra-positional versatility and impressive hands. His junior year was more dynamic than his senior season, when he played against better CBs more often. Not a lead receiver, but can work effectively opposite a true No. 1 or working inside him in the slot. Should emerge as a guy who reliably catches 30-45 passes a year but could step up to a bigger role here and there. High-floor prospect.
Lions perspective
Johnson is similar to Marvin Jones, but his stronger YAC potential and ability to more quickly separate on shorter routes make him a good candidate as a big slot option for the Lions. He’s a useful middle-round talent with no real holes to his game and appears ready to be a solid No. 3-4 option of a diverse passing attack.
