By Mark Pszonak
There is a longstanding argument between on-field production and NFL Combine results. Does excelling at one of the two balance out a poor showing at the other? That will be the question every NFL general manager and coach will need to figure out when debating the draft positioning of Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson.
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Nobody expected Johnson to suddenly grow overnight, so when he measured in at 5-foot-10 and 154-pounds there wasn’t a great deal of concern. Granted, 154-pounds was a bit of an eye opener for more than a few people. However, many of those same people assumed that his 40-time would override his lack of size. Then Johnson ran a 4.51.
On the bright side, Johnson’s 10-yard split (1.53) was good, and his 3-cone drill time (6.65) was amazing, but as usual, the 40-time is the one that is most publicized and will linger.
For anyone who hasn’t seen Johnson play on the field, combine production like this would likely result in him becoming an undrafted free agent. Luckily for him, plenty of people have watched him on the field and know that he plays much faster than a 4.51 40.
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Having totaled 310 receptions for 3,889 yards and 28 touchdowns during his collegiate career, which started at Troy before concluding with the Ducks, Johnson was a dynamic, explosive playmaker. And he accomplished this while being 154-pounds.
Johnson will get drafted, but now it is anybody’s guess how long he will last. Some NFL teams will pass on him due to his size and 40-time, while others will have visions of him eluding defensive players in the open field just like he did in the Big Ten against Penn State, Ohio State and Illinois.
And when he gets to the NFL, Johnson will have some extra motivation to prove to everyone that he can be a playmaker at the next level.
