Collin Johnson NFL draft profile and fantasy projection

At 6’6” 222 pounds, Collin Johnson is hard to miss on a football field. His Junior year at Texas ended up being his best, as he had 68 receptions for 985 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. That year he set a Big 12 Championship Game record with 177 yards on nine catches and a touchdowns against Oklahoma. Johnson had a hamstring injury that limited him to seven starts as a senior, when he had 38 receptions for 559 yards, and three touchdowns.

Scouting Report

Johnson has the size and catch radius to win against NFL cornerbacks, but he is lacking when it comes to getting separation. His size becomes a detriment in making compact moves in his routes. He will undoubtedly have trouble playing out wide in the NFL and is best suited to work out of the slot where he won’t have top corners manning him up at the line.

If he can find a team that wants to make him a big slot man, he has a real chance of making it in the league based on his ability to catch the ball, as his speed isn’t a plus, making him a possession receiver in the NFL.

Collin Johnson projects as a stereotypical X-receiver at the NFL level. He wins in tight spaces, defeats press with hand usage and strength and illustrates a large catch radius to contest errant throws. Johnson’s lack of short area quickness and inability to consistently create separation on his routes will cause some headaches and tempers his upside, he’s more of an ideal depth player and potential red zone target given his looming size. Johnson should stick long-term as a depth player. — Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network

Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not in mock
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Not in mock
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: Not in mock
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: Not in mock

Fantasy impact: Rookie year

Johnson has the ability to win in the red zone but might not get a chance to have that kind of specialized role if he can’t improve off the line and in his routes. He will need to build trust with a quarterback before getting targets without much separation.

Fantasy impact: Career

Johnson has the ability to win with smaller defenders covering him, which will always be a helpful trait. He isn’t likely to ever win an outside starting job but if given the opportunity in the slot, could carve himself a nice role with the right team. He’ll need to be with a pass happy team to give him enough targets as player down the depth chart, but his size coupled with a slot role, could end up making him a useful fantasy receiver longterm.