Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie expectations vs. performance
By Rob Leeds
Expectations
Tyler Johnson was one of the top-rated picks by the Buccaneers in the draft. Johnson’s college production mixed with his fifth-round status made this a selection that almost every analyst applauded.
Johnson didn’t perform at the combine, but his college stats and records were impossible to ignore. Even with the already-talented Buccaneer receiving corps, Johnson was a likely candidate to come to Tampa Bay and fill the WR3 opening left by Breshad Perriman‘s departure.
The Buccaneers needed to find another option for Tom Brady in his first year in the offense, and Johnson looked like the perfect option that was available at the right time.
Performance
Tyler Johnson struggled heavily during the beginning of the season. It was weird to see the applauded draft pick fail to reach the field, but his opportunities were heavily limited, and Johnson didn’t perform well when he was given chances.
Johnson was quickly bumped out of the WR3 spot (not that he ever had possession of the role), and Scotty Miller emerged as one of the team’s top receivers. With reps and production quickly moving out of reach, Johnson was approaching the “bust” title.
Fortunately for all parties, Johnson has found his stride over the past few weeks with seven receptions and two touchdowns in three weeks. This isn’t the production that was expected during the preseason, but Johnson has shown improvements that indicate his college success could eventually translate to the NFL.