Over a hundred NFL prospects were assessed by Dane Brugler at the Senior Bowl two weeks ago. The Athletic’s main draft analyst, Brugler, observed representatives in Mobile, Alabama for hours on end, noting who stuck out and might be rising stars in the 2024 selection class.
Brugler came away impressed with several players, including Penn State’s Theo Johnson. A captain and offensive weapon for the Nittany Lions last year, Johnson was named one of Brugler’s winners of the Senior Bowl as the top tight end in attendance.
“It wasn’t really a surprise,” Brugler told PennLive. “With Theo, we knew he had the potential to be a Day Two pick. That’s something we’ve talked about for a while.”
That puts Johnson in the conversation to be the third tight end off the board. Georgia’s Brock Bowers, who did not attend the Senior Bowl, is a possible top-10 pick. Texas standout Ja’Tavion Sanders is a fringe first-round prospect. But behind them, the position is wide open.
Johnson is ranked as the No. 84 prospect and the No. 4 tight end in the draft class by ESPN. He sits behind Bowers, Sanders and Ohio State’s Cade Stover and above Iowa’s Erick All, Florida State’s Jaheim Bell, Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott and Michigan’s AJ Barner. Johnson could further cement himself as a Day Two option at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, should he run in the 4.5-second 40-yard dash range that’s expected.
Johnson’s stellar Senior Bowl week began with pre-practice drills. The 6-foot-6 target had 10-inch hands, an 81 1/4-inch wingspan, and weighed 257 pounds. Then, in front of scouts and coaches, Johnson used his hands, weight, and speed to his advantage.
“When you look at the traits, you see a big, attractive athlete who is smooth in his routes, quick to get down the seam, and able to run away from coverage,” Brugler said. “He can adapt to misdirected passes, ascend the ladder with ease, and has a respectable catch radius and stride when catching the ball.
He needs to demonstrate his tenacity to take on NFL d-ends and be a more reliable blocker who understands leverage. However, that’s what teams are searching for in a pass catcher.
Johnson wasn’t a significant component of Penn State’s offensive, as Brugler noted. However, he added, “that offense had its own problems.” Last season, the Nittany Lions’ inability to produce big plays in the passing game resulted in Mike Yurcich’s firing during the season.
With his seven touchdowns, which matched for the second-most in the FBS, Johnson reached the end zone often. However, last year he only managed 34 receptions for 341 yards. Two less than in 2022, Johnson recorded four catches of 20 yards or more. Over the previous two seasons, it was evident that the athletic, large target might have contributed more for the Nittany Lions if given the chance.
Sanders had 45 receptions and 682 yards for Texas in 2023, to compare the numbers. Sinnott had 49 receptions for 676 yards, which led Kansas State. Bell and Stover both received 500 yards each.
“You expect a four-year tight end to have more than 350 yards in any one of those four seasons when you draft him, and he didn’t,” Brugler stated. “During his career, he did not surpass 1,000 yards.” That isn’t the best situation.
Brugler held back.
“Traits over production is the motto of NFL scouting, however.”
When the NFL draft comes around in April, Johnson has the kind of player who should hear his name called in the second or third round. He demonstrated that on the field against Penn State and in the Senior Bowl, and he will have another opportunity to do so at Lucas Oil Stadium in a few weeks.