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Theo Johnson NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Penn State TE

BR NFL Scouting Department

HEIGHT: 6'6"

WEIGHT: 259

HAND: 10¼"

ARM: 33"

WINGSPAN: 80¾"

40-YARD DASH: 4.57

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.19

VERTICAL: 39.5"

BROAD: 10'5"

POSITIVES

— Well-built frame with the positional flexibility to play in-line, in the backfield and split out as a receiver.

— Very good with his hands as a route-runner. Strong, active hand usage to keep his frame clean and knock defenders off-balance.

— Good lateral explosion. Can cross a defender's face and accelerate past them.

— Good speed, especially for his size. Consistently gains a step and doesn't let defenders catch back up.

— Very good blocking ability. Thick, strong frame for in-line blocks, as well as the movement and tracking ability to pick players off in space.

NEGATIVES

— Sluggish out of his stance. Much less explosive than testing suggests in that regard.

— Below-average ability to throttle down and snap routes off. Looks uncomfortable running curls and sharp in-breaking routes.

— Quick eyes and hands to find the ball outside his frame, but ability to finish comes and goes.

2023 STATISTICS

— 13 G, 34 REC, 341 YDS (10.0 AVG), 7 TD

NOTES

— Born Feb. 26, 2001

— Born and raised in Canada throughout high school, did not come to the U.S. until college

— 4-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 29 career starts

OVERALL

Theo Johnson is an uber-athletic Y tight end prospect who will need time and development to unlock his receiving potential in the NFL.

Johnson's size and positional flexibility alone make him an intriguing prospect. He has the size and strength of a true in-line tight end along with the movement skills of someone who can be flexed all around the formation. Penn State regularly played Johnson on the ball, off the ball, in the backfield as an H-back, in the slot and out wide.

As a pass-catcher, Johnson is a mixed bag right now.

Johnson's best trait is that he understands how to use his strength and frame to separate. His violent hands and powerful strides give him the upper hand physically in most matchups. Additionally, Johnson shows the quickness to cut across a defender's face, as well as the long speed to outrun defenders on routes across the field or down the seam.

At the same time, Johnson is an incomplete route-runner. He struggles right now to throttle down and snap off routes efficiently. That issue primarily shows up on curls and in-breaking routes. For now, Johnson is better the more fluid the route is.

Johnson's catching ability also needs work. He is decent at tracking and reaching for the ball, but he doesn't secure the ball consistently right now.

The real kicker with Johnson is his blocking ability. Though he sometimes loses by being late out of his stance, he is largely an excellent blocker. Johnson has the size and strength to bury defenders on downhill runs and track defenders in space and pick them off. Johnson is an active blocker no matter the assignment.

Johnson's blocking ability and high-end athleticism will make him a viable TE2 in the NFL right away. With that said, he will need to clean up his route-running and become stronger at the catch point to make the leap to starting NFL tight end. Johnson would fit best in a downhill run game that can use his athletic ability on play action.

GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player/Contributor — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 107

POSITION RANK: TE4

PRO COMPARISON: Foster Moreau

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

   

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