Overview
Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 209 pounds
School: Buffalo Bulls
Combine Performance Data
Bench press: 18 reps
Vertical jump: 32.5 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, 2 inches
Three-cone drill: 7.12 seconds
Anthony Johnson 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Buffalo Bulls head coach Lance Leipold has methodically built the program into one of the best in the MAC. In 2018, they won 10 games for the first time since joining the conference in the late 1990s and made it to the league title game. Part of that success can be attributed to the NFL-caliber players they had on the offensive side of the ball, including quarterback Tyree Jackson and the player up for analysis here: wide receiver Anthony Johnson.
A cousin of Houston Texans edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, Johnson initially took the ju-co route out of high school. He played at Butler Community College in 2014 before moving to Iowa Western Community College a year later, then transferred to UB. After redshirting his first season with the Bulls, Johnson proceeded to take the college football world by storm. He compiled 1,356 yards and caught 14 touchdown passes, both of which were top six among FBS receivers. His quality as a vertical threat was on full display given that his 17.84 yards per catch was second nationally among players with a minimum of 75 receptions.
As a result, Johnson appeared on preseason watch lists for the Robert Maxwell (nation’s best all-around player) and Fred Biletnikoff (nation’s top wide receiver) Awards in 2018. But his production dipped from the previous season, partly the result of opposing defenses committed to limiting his effectiveness. Nevertheless, he still eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and registered double-digit touchdown catches (1,011 yards, 11 touchdowns). His standout performance of the year came in a 51-42 win over Miami (OH) when he caught eight passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. In so doing, he joined Western Michigan’s Greg Jennings as the only MAC receivers since 2000 to average 25+ yards per catch in a game where they caught 8+ passes, eclipsed 200 receiving yards, and found the end zone at least three times.
Strengths
- looks the part of an impactful next-level receiver;
- confident catcher of the football with reliable, soft hands;
- highly elusive with great downfield vision after the catch;
- ran a fairly extensive array of routes;
- impressive deep burst makes him a significant vertical threat;
- exhibits a nuanced change of pace to keep defensive backs guessing;
- a reliable target on back shoulder fades in the end zone;
- induces panic grabs out of the player covering him;
- able to adjust to the ball in traffic and haul it in;
- has the requisite play strength to shed tackles.
Weaknesses
- could use a bit more crispness at the stem of routes;
- needs to be more assertive at getting to the opponent on downfield blocks;
- average ability to separate against mirror and match in press;
- didn’t do a lot of in-line blocking in college;
- might need time adjusting to pro-style concepts;
- production came against oftentimes overmatched competition;
- limited top-level experience could be a concern.
NFL Comparison: Mohamed Sanu
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins
Projection: Fourth to fifth round
Bottom Line
Johnson quickly emerged as one of the top purveyors of #MACtion during his time in Western New York. He has a powerfully built frame which allows him to shed would-be tacklers time and time again. In addition, he exhibits effortless catching ability which makes him all the more dangerous as a deep ball target. Another trait that really jumps out on film is how he can haul in contested catches rather reliably.
Perhaps the biggest concern is how well Johnson will be able to release against jams from press coverage against elite NFL corners. As impressive as his numbers were in two seasons with the Bulls, the level of competition he achieved them against was, for the most part, several rungs below what he’ll see at the next level. Johnson also needs to make route transitions with added sharpness as his cuts can be too rounded at times.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Johnson. He could’ve declared after his junior year but he wanted to be the first member of his family to earn a college degree. It speaks positively about his priorities in life. And the added experience he gained will serve him well in the pros. Ultimately, his ceiling is that of a regular starter though he might need a bit of time to develop. But as a rookie, he’ll certainly bring much-needed depth to the receiving corps of whichever team decides to pull the trigger on draft day.
