View pictures of WR Tyler Johnson, the 161st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01, 2020 - Wide Receiver Tyler Johnson #6 during the 2020 Outback Bowl game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson reaches over the goal line for a touchdown beyond the defense of Indiana State defensive back Kevin Beacham in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) scores a touchdown against Michigan State during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Minneapolis. Michigan State defeated Minnesota 30-27. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson celebrates his 8 yard touchdown reception against Illinois in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct 21, 2017, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Autey)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson, left, catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Miami (Ohio) defensive back Travion Banks in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson, left, gets past Miami (Ohio) defensive back Joshua Allen for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson gets past Miami (Ohio) defenders for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 26-3. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson celebrates his touchdown against Miami (Ohio) in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 26-3. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson catches a pass against Miami (Ohio) in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 26-3. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Iowa's Julius Brents intercepts the ball intended for Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Minneapolis. Iowa won 48-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Indiana's Cam Jones tries to tackle Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota's Tyler Johnson against Purdue in the second half of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson catches a pass against Miami (Ohio) in the second half of an NCAA football game, in Minneapolis. Northwestern plays this week at Minnesota, where the Gophers need one more win for bowl-game eligibility.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) against South Dakota State during an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during an NCAA football game against South Dakota State Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during an NCAA football game against South Dakota State Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton- King)
FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2018, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) is chased by Georgia Tech defensive back Lamont Simmons during the first half of the Quick Lane Bowl NCAA college football game in Detroit. Tyler Johnson has the most polished credentials for Minnesota, but Bateman has quickly emerged from a deep group of wide receivers as more than just a sidekick. The Gophers play Georgia Southern this week, a school about three hours from Bateman's hometown. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Georgia Southern cornerback Monquavion Brinson (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) catches a pass for a touchdown as Illinois linebacker Dele Harding (9) tries to stop him in the second quarter at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson checks with an official as he lines up against Illinois in the third quarter at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 52-10. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 52-10. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) holds onto the ball against Penn State cornerback Keaton Ellis (2) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) escapes a tackle from Penn State safety Garrett Taylor (17) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa defensive back Geno Stone, left, chases down Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) catches a touchdown pass over Northwestern cornerback Cam Ruiz (18) during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota won 38-22. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis. Wisconsin won 38-17. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis. Wisconsin won 38-17. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) makes a diving catch in front of Auburn defensive back Jordyn Peters (15) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) makes a catch after getting around Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Auburn Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson catches the ball during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson runs after the catch during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson runs after the catch during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A group of scouts and player personnel pros were in attendance for the very last game of Tyler Johnson's collegiate career. Given how that game went, it's not surprising that Johnson new calls himself a Buccaneer.
On Saturday, Tampa Bay selected Johnson, an athletic and highly productive wide receiver from the University of Minnesota, with the 16th pick of the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, number 161 overall. Johnson won first-team All-Big Ten honors each of the past two years and capped his career with perhaps his best game ever in Minnesota's Outback Bowl win over Auburn at Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day.
Buccaneers Director of Player Personnel John Spytek was among the Buccaneer group on hand as Johnson set career highs with 12 catches and 204 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Gophers' 31-26 over a strong Auburn squad, a performance that included some eye-opening plays.
"He had an outstanding, outstanding Outback Bowl," said Spytek. "We were all there scouting in person, not that we hadn't noticed it before. But that game, including that one-handed catch by the pirate ship, just made you go back and look at the tape again. To put up big numbers against an SEC opponent, and a really good SEC opponent – that's what you're looking for."
The Bucs had to wait a while to make their first selections on the third day of the draft, as they had given up the first of their two fourth-round picks in the trade for tight end Rob Gronkowski earlier in the week and the second one in Thursday night's move up to secure tackle Tristan Wirfs. When they did finally get on the clock around three hours into the draft, they continued the theme suggested by those two trades above: Protect Tom Brady and give him as many weapons as possible.
As such, Johnson joins an attack that features the Pro Bowl wide receiver combo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and a tight end trio of Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. The Buccaneers also used a third-round pick on Friday on versatile Vanderbilt running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who joins third-year man Ronald Jones in the backfield. That's a crowded group of targets but the Bucs believe Johnson can find a place in their aerial attack as a versatile and technically-sound pass-catcher who can move around the formation.
"That's up to the coaches, of course, but I would say from my point of view that he's a guy who, with the way we play, can play outside or inside for us. His ability to understand and know all the different spots helps," said Spytek. "He played all the different spots up at Minnesota and operated at a high level there. He's got to make a transition to our offense, but you feel good about his ability to make that transition in the NFL and play several spots based on what we saw from him in college."
The 6-2, 205-pound Johnson was a star quarterback as a prep in the state of Minnesota but he converted to wide receiver and went on to shatter the Gophers' record books over his four-season tenure. Johnson holds Minnesota's all-time standards in receiving yards (3,305), 100-yard receiving games (16) and touchdown catches (33). He also set the school's single-season record for receptions, yards and scoring catches as a senior in 2019, hauling in 86 passes for 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns. Johnson added another 16 catches for 261 yards and four touchdowns in three bowl games, all school records as well.
"He is just a good football player, a natural athlete," said Spytek. "He was highly-decorated as a quarterback in high school, led his team to the state championship game as a senior. Sometimes those kids who play quarterback at a younger age or in high school and then move to receiver end up with a great understanding and feel for coverages and how to get open. They know how to work with a quarterback and have a really good rapport with him. This kid just happens to be a really, really good athlete, too, so he was able to make that transition pretty seamlessly. He was highly productive in one of the best football conferences in the country."
In addition to his all-conference honors in 2018 and 2019, Johnson was an honorable mention all-Big Ten choice as a sophomore and was named the Outstanding Offensive Freshman at Minnesota in 2016. He totaled 164 catches for 2,481 yards and 25 touchdowns over his final two college campaigns.
"He's efficient, he's savvy," said Spytek. "He's got good size, probably very similar in size to Chris Godwin. He's quick – quick feet, good body control, good enough speed – and a lot of times those guys end up being good short and intermediate route-runners but this kid, he just knows how to get open. He can get open deep, too, with some double moves and his ability to run. Again, [he's] just a very instinctive, smart football player."
The Buccaneers benefited from an incredibly deep group of receivers available in the 2020 draft. Johnson was the 21st receiver off the board, and six more fell in rapid succession in the fifth round.
"It's like we talked about with the safeties – you just never know when the run is going to start," said Spytek. "If it's a shallow class, the run starts and they all disappear quickly. The receivers started going pretty early in Round One but it's well-documented that most people think this is an extremely deep wide receiver class – and I would agree with that – and you get to Day Three and people are just trying to find good football players who fit their team. I think Tyler is a good example of that for us – he's a good football player who fits what we want to do offensively."
