Tez Johnson NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Oregon WR

HEIGHT: 5'9"

WEIGHT: 156

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 29⅞"

WINGSPAN: 73"

POSITIVES

— Quick twitch mover in space with sudden change of direction ability.

— Dynamic and explosive run-after-catch threat.

— Versatile playmaker who can handle manufactured touches in space.

— Special teams value with dynamic punt return ability

NEGATIVES

— Thin, wiry frame limits him to a slot-only role at the next level.

— Winning contested catches due to small stature and catch radius.

— Unreliable and inconsistent hands catcher, high drop percentage.

— Effectively playing through contact and high-traffic areas

NOTES

— Born May 18, 2002

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

— 2023: All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention; Set Oregon single-season record for receptions (86)

— 2022-2023, became the adopted younger brother of Oregon (Denver Broncos) QB Bo Nix.

OVERALL

Tez Johnson is a quick-twitch route runner out of the slot who excels in the short/underneath areas of the field.

Johnson plays with good football IQ and coverage recognition post-snap. This is evident on tape when he is given option routes and must read the defender's leverage and coverage drop before determining which route he will initiate. Johnson excels working out of the slot and in trips (3WR) sets where he can be deployed against advantageous matchups, linebackers, and safeties. His ability to win quickly underneath creates opportunities to catch and run into the open field. Johnson is dynamic with the football in his hands; he can make defenders miss with quick, decisive movements and angle-beating burst/acceleration.

Johnson's ability to sell vertical routes with urgency, speed, and attacking leverages puts defenders in conflict, opening access points to shallow routes. He plays with optimal snap and hip sinkage at the breaking point to generate ample separation against man coverage. Johnson is the ideal pre-snap motion receiver, whether on jet or orbit motions, putting him on the move is a good way to give him free releases and advantageous angles against defenders. He is comfortable operating as a space player with manufactured touches—quick screens and handoffs behind the line of scrimmage.

NFL front offices will remove him from their draft boards because of his thin and wiry frame. Teams that value size and strength will struggle to look past his size. Johnson's lack of size and strength shows up in multiple ways—playing through contact and within high-traffic areas. Johnson is a slippery and speedy receiver but will not power through arm tackles or defensive contact. He struggles to defeat physical press defenders. He uses quick finesse maneuvers to work past them at the line of scrimmage—but if the defender can make contact early, Johnson's momentum is halted quickly.

Do not expect him to win many contested, 50/50 throws at the next level. Johnson is not equipped with the catch radius or strength at the catch point to outmuscle bigger defenders for the ball. Johnson is not a natural hands catcher who has had issues with drops throughout his collegiate career. Johnson has double catches and near drops on tape, which are concerning.

In all, Tez Johnson projects as a potential chain-moving slot receiver. He is an ideal candidate for the influx of quick passes due to West Coast offensive systems. From slants, rub routes, shallow crossers, and over routes, Johnson is better at attacking horizontally against zone defenses. Cleaning up his drops will only help him see playing time in the NFL. At worst, he will bring positive special teams value as a punt and kick returner.

GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 70

POSITION RANK: WR11

PRO COMPARISON: Tutu Atwell

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.