quote from this thread: Rams pre-season & inter-team practices

zn wrote:

5) WR Tyler Johnson shines in 2-minute drill: In that segment, with Garoppolo leaning the first-team offense, Johnson caught three consecutive passes to help move the Rams offense downfield.

That’s Stu Jackson on the Ram/Dallas Weds. practice.

Johnson showed up in the pre-season game too.

So who is he?

from the wiki:

Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 206 lb (93 kg)
College: Minnesota (2016–2019)

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)

Johnson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 161st pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Overall, Johnson finished his rookie season with 12 receptions for 169 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 14 games.

The Buccaneers waived Johnson on August 30, 2022.

Houston Texans

On August 31, 2022, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. He was released on October 25.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)

On October 31, 2022, Johnson was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad.

Las Vegas Raiders

On January 25, 2023, Johnson signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was waived on May 15, 2023.

Los Angeles Rams

On May 30, 2023, Johnson signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2024.

2020 draft report

By Lance Zierlein: https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tyler-johnson/32004a4f-4871-1094-58d9-ca4ef7922f8c

Contested-catch warrior who plays the game like a big brother imposing his will on his younger brothers on the playground. Johnson’s lack of speed and explosiveness make it hard to create clean catch windows unless he’s working against zone. However, he’s an absolute rebound champ, using instincts, timing and an impressive knowledge of body control to keep defenders away from the football and make it his own. His production speaks directly to his ball skills and competitiveness, but physical limitations might pigeon-hole him into a role as a zone-beating possession slot with red-zone talent.

Strengths

Tremendously productive over last three [college] seasons. Put his name on a long list of school records. Play strength reminiscent of AJ Brown. Recognizes acceleration opportunities to play past coverage. Rare ball skills and instincts as ball-winner. Basketball background shows when bodying defenders at catch-point. Defenders catch shoulders, back and hips anywhere on the field. Diligent in working back to his quarterback. Uses tracking and stacking to handle deep catches. Excellent high-point timing and mid-air adjustments.

Weaknesses

Tight hips limit agility to elude press. Lacks leaping ability and arm length for desired catch radius. Top-end speed falls below the NFL mark. Unable to find second gear to run under throws. Route work doesn’t throw defender off the scent. Below average foot quickness to cross-up corners at route stem. Disappointing separation burst out of breaks. Has had issues fighting the football into the middle of the field. Physical after the catch, but not very elusive.

 

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
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from Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Chargers

Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Chargers

Top 5 offense

TE Nikola Kalinic: 91.0
TE Davis Allen: 75.0
C Beaux Limmer: 75.0
C Mike McAllister: 73.1
WR J.J. Laap: 73.0

Allen and Limmer are the only two players in this group who are likely to make the 53-man roster, but it’s encouraging to see Kalinic performing well. Still, the Rams are probably only going to keep three tight ends, leaving him on the outside looking in.

Laap stood out with his 47-yard touchdown catch, which proved to be the game-winner.

Top 5 defense

LB Omar Speights: 89.1
OLB Ochaun Mathis: 87.7
NT Cory Durden: 84.6
S Jason Taylor II: 84.4
LB Jake Hummel: 84.4

Speights was all over the field for the Rams, leading the game with seven tackles and two tackles for a loss. He’s a physical player who’s making a case for a roster spot.

Mathis needed a positive performance and that’s what he had against the Chargers. The same goes for Taylor and Hummel, who are both on the roster bubble.

Bottom 5 offense

LT Conor McDermott: 53.0
WR Drake Stoops: 49.4
TE Miller Forristall: 48.4
TE Hunter Long: 48.0
QB Stetson Bennett: 44.4

Bennett was the Rams’ lowest-graded offensive player despite cutting down on the turnovers from last week; he threw one interception and lost a fumble on Saturday. He had three turnover-worthy plays and just one big-time throw.

Long is expected to be the third tight end on the depth chart, which is probably why he only played 17 snaps. Stoops was only targeted once and didn’t have a catch, so his impact was minimal.

Bottom 5 defense

OLB Nick Hampton: 50.4
CB Tre Tomlinson: 45.5
LB Olakunle Fatukasi: 43.1
DL Tyler Davis: 41.6
DT David Olajiga: 35.6

Hampton is on track to make the team and while he had two pressures in just 10 pass-rushing snaps, his grade was on the lower end.

Davis surprisingly didn’t play nose tackle in this one like he typically has. He mostly played defensive end, which is interesting considering he’s over 300 pounds. It didn’t work out very well and he struggled to get off blocks in the run game.

Other notables

DL Carlos Watkins: 79.1
S Russ Yeast: 75.8
RG Logan Bruss: 71.4
S Jaylen McCollough: 67.3
WR Jordan Whittington: 64.8
WR Xavier Smith: 62.6

Watkins had a big impact in his Rams debut, recording a strip-sack in the win. Yeast was also impressive in limited playing time, nearly picking off a pass that he jumped in front of.

Bruss continues to play well at right guard and he could sneak onto the 53-man roster with LT Leveston still injured.

McCollough had an interception, which Sean McVay said wasn’t even his best play of the game. Whittington and Smith played well once again, though it feels like Smith’s grade could’ve been much higher for the impact he had.

Oldie but goodie. Baldinger on Rams in 2021 NFC title game.

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