Browns NFL Draft INSIGHT: TE Theo Johnson 

Round 5 projection: The Browns tight end room is one man down

The Cleveland Browns need a good young tight end to contribute and groom. David Njoku made the Pro Bowl last year and is considered a viable threat in the offense. Jordan Akins remains a roster member despite having poor stats last season.

By bringing in Theo Johnson, the team would add a good blocker with long arms and length. He is adept at hauling in passes and is a nightmare when running free downfield. Raised in Canada and went to a program that spits out great tight ends.

RELATED: THEO JOHNSON SENIOR BOWL INTERVIEW

He will be a developmental player for only a short period. He runs good vertical routes and thrives when blocking, but he needs to be more consistent in both areas. Johnson’s hand technique can be a bit inconsistent when extending for a pass. Most mock drafts have him being taken in the fifth round.

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TE Theo Johnson

Draft projection: Round 5

Browns pick: #155

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Specifics:

College: Penn State Nittany Lions

Height: 6’-6”

Weight: 264 pounds

40-time: 4.57

Career Receptions: 77

Career Yards: 938

Career Touchdowns: 12

Career starts: 44

RELATED: THEO JOHNSON DRAFT PROFILE

Positives:

1. Reliable hands
2. Hustler and long-legged
3. Good strength
4. Complete upside abilities
5. Obvious toughness
6. Runs like a receiver
7. Competitive demeanor
8. Senior Bowl invitee
9. Three-year starter
10. Good yards after contact
11. Major center field threat

Negatives:

1. Not a field stretcher
2. Limited route runner
3. Needs better bulk
4. Lower body requires better strength
5. Can be slow off the snap
6. Limited in-line blocking

Expert Draft Site Analysis

ProFootballNetwork.com

Testing athleticism will likely sway in Johnson’s favor, and at the Senior Bowl, that athleticism was put under the spotlight. He’s a smooth, explosive vertical athlete with the speed and curvilinear acceleration to carve up seams and box out defensive backs. Johnson’s pure long-range speed can make him difficult to keep leverage against, and he also provides value as a RAC threat in the short range. When schemed touches on swings and screens, he can accrue additional yards with his forward-pressing physicality and leg drive. Johnson visibly lacks the fluidity, short-area quickness, and hip flexibility to stack brisk direction changes and hip transitions, and he struggles to sink at stems as well.