Cade Johnson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’-10″
Weight: 184 pounds
School: South Dakota State
Cade Johnson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
NFL teams are spoilt for choice by the depth of the wide receiver class entering the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s easy for gems to fall through the cracks, particularly due to the impact COVID-19 had on the 2020 season. Cade Johnson is the perfect example. South Dakota State’s FCS season was completely canceled in 2020. However, Johnson dominated at South Dakota State in 2018 and 2019. His draft stock shouldn’t be punished for something beyond his control.
Born in Nebraska, Johnson attended Bellevue West High School in Papillion. He was named first-team All-State as a Senior after catching 43 passes for 1,061 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. However, Johnson failed to attract significant interest from colleges and walked on to the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Division One colleges missed out.
After redshirting in 2016, Johnson spent 2017 as the team’s primary kick returner. He returned 30 kicks for a school record 839 yards, including two touchdowns. Johnson built up his frame and playing strength during his first two years on campus. In 2018, Johnson led the jackrabbits with 67 receptions for 1,332 yards and a single-season school-record 17 touchdown receptions. Johnson earned FCS first-team All-American honors in 2019 after finishing the season with 72 catches for 1,222 yards and eight touchdowns. After the 2020 FCS season was canceled, Johnson declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Strengths
- Talented receiver – showcased good eye/hand coordination with soft hands and timing;
- Explosive burst into his routes – Plays fast;
- Excellent body control – Adjusts to the ball thrown;
- Creates separation with short-area quickness – Sharp cuts on underneath routes;
- Elusive with the ball in his hands – Potential YAC weapon thanks to his return skills;
- Kick Return history a bonus.
Weaknesses
- Lacks prototypical size for a number one receiver – Smaller length to compete for 50-50 balls;
- Doesn’t possess top-end speed;
- Level of competition is the obvious downside when evaluating FCS receivers;
- More physical than he looks, but unlikely to run anyone over at the pro level;
- Could be limited to slot receiver/kick returns at the pro level.
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NFL Comparison: Sterling Shepard
Johnson possesses a similar skillset to New York Giants wide receiver Shepard. However, Shepard was a more polished prospect coming out of Oklahoma in 2016. Relying on short-area quickness, sharp cuts, and elusiveness to be productive, Shepard has developed into a dynamic pro receiver. Johnson isn’t as gifted an athlete, but projects as a similar style of a receiver at the pro level.
Teams With Need at Position: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers.
Projection: Day 3 Pick
Bottom Line on Cade Johnson
Johnson was extremely productive for the jackrabbits. He showed good ability to separate in the slot and the toughness required to play the position. Scouts will worry about Johnson’s size to be able to handle the physical collisions slot receivers endure in the NFL. However, Johnson displayed a willingness to work underneath, find space against zone coverage, and be productive. There’s an unappreciated toughness to his game for a receiver of his size.
Doubts over the level of competition persist throughout the draft process. Johnson chose not to enter the NCAA transfer portal in 2020, which could have seen him play for a power five college as a senior. However, he couldn’t resist the calling of the NFL. Only time will tell if that was the right decision for his potential professional career. Scouts will also point to the limited catch radius and doubt his ability to make contested catches at the next level.
Division one schools missed on Johnson coming out of high school. He has fought and clawed his way up draft boards throughout his time at South Dakota State. Scouts and coaches love the production and are taking notice of Johnson. There is starting slot receiver potential in Johnson. He will also earn reps on special teams, courtesy of the exceptional production as a returner in college. The return skills give him an advantage over a number of receivers who played a higher level in college but didn’t showcase the return ability Johnson possesses.
Main photo:
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