Scouting Report: Theo Johnson (TE) - Penn State
Sales Pitch: "Big long TE with impressive straight line athleticism. Was a limited producer in college and struggles with consistency as a blocker. Size and ball skills create an intriguing skillset but needs to clean up his route running and blocking technique to be an impact player."
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 6 1/8”
Weight: 259 lbs
Arm Length: 33”
Hand Size: 10 1/4”
40 Yard Dash: 4.57
10 Yard Split: 1.61
Vertical: 39.5”
Broad Jump: 10’ 5”
Short Shuttle: 4.19
3-Cone: 7.15
Age: 23
Relative Athletic Score: 9.92 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 77 REC - 938 YDS - 12.2 YPR - 12 TD
2023: 34 REC - 341 YDS - 10 YPR - 7 TD
Strengths
Elite height, weight, speed threat
Effort as a blocker through the whistle
Over 50% of catches in 2023 went for 1st downs
Massive hands that are very dependable
Ball skills and catch radius to corral errant passes
Runs away from LBs on crossers
Size and ball skills to run the seam
Strength and frame to be a plus blocker
Athletic ability to get out to blocking assignments in space
Can rumble for YAC if he gets the ball with his momentum going
Creates push as a combo blocker
Weaknesses
Stiff upright frame that struggles to change directions
Uncomfortable adjusting on the fly as a blocker
Often false steps out of three point stances
Limited route tree
Lacks explosiveness on sharp cuts
Struggles to maintain blocks in space
Head placement and pad level as a blocker is poor
Average ability to find soft spots in zone
Does not elude defenders in space with the ball
Summary
Theo Johnson is a big explosive TE with limited statistical production. The former 4-Star recruit from Canada was a team captain for the Nittany Lions in 2023. Johnson’s physical measurables are rare for a tight-end with 90th plus percentile measurements for height, speed and explosiveness. His physical gifts are most apparent as a receiver when running the seam and on crossers. He has long strides that allow him to pull away from linebackers in the open field and rumble for yards after the catch. Johnson has a big frame with long arms that give him a massive catch radius. He has strong hands that pluck the ball out of the air in all directions. Johnson didn’t have impressive statistical production (he never broke 400 yards in a season) but over 50% of his catches in 2023 resulted in first downs. Despite his impressive testing numbers, Johnson fails to consistently translate them to the football field. He displays a limited route tree, struggling to explode and separate laterally due to stiff hips. He does a poor job of sustaining blocks in space due to a high pad level and shaky balance. Johnson shows flashes of dominance as blocker, particularly on combo blocks, where he can use his power and size to create push in the run game. However, too often does he lose a block after a strong initial first step. His head and hand placement is inconsistent, allowing experienced defensive lineman to quickly shed him and fill the gap. Johnson projects as a TE2 at the next level who spend most of his snaps as a wing-TE or move-Y. The physical tools and flashes are impressive but at 23 years old the light still has yet to come on. He is worth a early Day 3 flier as toolsy backup with developmental upside