The Cooper Kupp-Tez Johnson Connection
May 3rd, 2025
So why is electric Bucs rookie receiver/returner Tez Johnson such a big Cooper Kupp fan and raving about homemade videos Kupp sent his way?
First, Johnson, Tampa Bay’s seventh-round pick, says Kupp is someone he studies regularly and Kupp might be the best slot receiver in football.
At 5-10, 154 pounds (yes, 154), Johnson isn’t studying a lot of Mike Evans-type receivers. Kupp and Texans receiver Tank Dell are two players he studies regularly, Johnson told Nitecast Media TV.
But the Kupp study runs deeper. Johnson’s former receivers coach at Oregon, Junior Adams, coached Kupp in college and connected them. Per Johnson, Kupp sent him videos on how to run routes. He added that these were shot “in a mall, or in his backyard.”
Johnson said he sent Kupp feedback and got return feedback from Kupp “on what I should do if a defender is in certain ways.”
Joe loves that not only did Johnson rack up big numbers on top college teams, and 2,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons, he’s had quality coaching. Adams also coached Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan at the University of Washington and is now the Dallas Cowboys’ new receivers coach.
Yeah, Joe realizes the Bucs have little to no need for Johnson’s receiving skills, but Joe loves this pick for the right now as a returner, and for the future.
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Dude’s feet are fast. Similar to how AB’s legs moved. Hopefully, he stays diligent in route running/technique and he could be a 7th round steal.
May 3rd, 2025 at 7:56 pm
No risk…high reward potential…..he bumps a good WR off the roster. Worth it simply to make Bucky happy…
May 3rd, 2025 at 8:11 pm
He needs to put a little more weight on to be compared to Cooper Kupp. Cooper Kupp isn’t 90 lbs. & at least let’s get Johnson in the NFL first to see how he does before he can be compared to Kupp.
May 3rd, 2025 at 8:12 pm
I wanted Kupp when he was coming out of Eastern Washington, too!
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Grizzard is gonna have so much fun.
That offensive lineup has me wanting to draw up plays!
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:30 pm
and we got mike tomlin’s son?! so weird he didn’t catch many balls…. a favor for Mike from Bowles?
May 3rd, 2025 at 9:32 pm
I’ll say it. We do need Tez now and he will be an impact receiver. His reels are super impressive and much like Godwin was, Tez may be the steal of the draft. Baker is going to love this guy and I can see him, running 40 yard screen plays. Don’t underestimate his abilities and top end speed. This may prove to be Licht’s best draft yet. Production production production. I’m ready for the season to start now lol.
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:11 pm
He was difficult if not downright unguardable one on one at the Senior Bowl. I can see him finding his way onto the field sooner rather than later.
May 3rd, 2025 at 10:40 pm
Love this pick. Surprised he didn’t go sooner based on everything I’ve seen and read about him. Licht and co. Might have hit big this draft.
May 3rd, 2025 at 11:22 pm
He avoids unneeded contact, which is smart at his size. I would not doubt him getting playtime at receiver too. Occasional spot duty. Really hope he works out on ST.
May 4th, 2025 at 1:26 am
Very cool of Kupp
May 4th, 2025 at 1:58 am
That little factoid is impressive Joe. Kupp sounds like a dude who has some of those qualties that Jason likes.
Go Bucs!
May 4th, 2025 at 2:13 am
Ahhh post draft optimism . Gotta love it!
I was and am very high pre and post draft on the David Walker pick. The guy reminds me of Dwight Freeney. I will be very surprised if he doesn’t make the opening day roster.
May 4th, 2025 at 2:30 am
Could not agree with more Joe!! Regardless of him being a few pounds lighter dude can flat out ball. Period. How many years did Desean Jackson play? Dude was almost the same size and was one of the most dangerous punt returns of all time! Plus there’s just something about these “Ducks” that become “Bucs”
May 4th, 2025 at 2:47 am
I’m not as hyped as everyone else on this guy. Too many little non-fast guys over the last ten years that get talked about in the offseason then never do anything.
At best, this guy has a chance to be another Karl Williams. Good moves in the return game but no breakaway speed.
May 4th, 2025 at 4:05 am
As long as he is not broken in two or snatched out of his shoes with a hand tackle!
May 4th, 2025 at 4:38 am
Eh, he’s a little squirrelly.
(wink emoji here)
May 4th, 2025 at 5:40 am
I hope he survives. I doubt it.
May 4th, 2025 at 5:43 am
Will get destroyed in the NFL by bigger faster players.
May 4th, 2025 at 7:34 am
At 174 he would be small. He is 154. I have bowl movemnts heaivier than that.
May 4th, 2025 at 7:39 am
Hoping that Tez Johnson can be better version of Tank Dell in the NFL.
Concerned with others that he might get injured. Big makes a difference in the NFL — just as much or more than speed.
One of the two times that Tank Dell got injured was game 13 of his first season. The head coach had Dell on the goal line as an inline WR and had him making a block against bigger guys. The play call was carp from the Houston coach, exposing his smallest guy to that danger.
Hopefully, we will be smarter.
BTW, Tez Johnson, was more explosive in his broad jump and 3 cone drill than Tank Dell and about the same straight line speed and wingspan as Tank.
The stories on Tez like this one and the Bo Nix tie-in for him make him such a compelling prospect to me.
May 4th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Love to see him make the team. Needs a little more muscle. Hope he’s already in the weight room
May 4th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Sure would like to see another Karl “The Truth” Williams player surface. It would be nice to get more ST scores.
May 4th, 2025 at 8:47 am
The young receivers were picked to entice back Baker for a long-term contract. Everybody knows the starters are close to retirement.
May 4th, 2025 at 9:11 am
I think you’ll change your tune on his receiving skills Joe when he starts racking up catches. This kid will be as big a surprise as Bucky was last year. Johnson put up big numbers at Oregon, I expect Grizz to get this kid some touches every game in space where he does his damage. He’s like the cherry on top of our receiver room, and I think he’s going to add some juice. Can’t wait to see it.
May 4th, 2025 at 9:43 am
If he’s a true NFL receiver, that’s 5 on our team. No drop off when ME and CG need a blow. Rachaad, Bucky and Otten make it a lot of guys to worry about. It’s hard not to get excited about the offense. Pump up the middle of the D with a good ILB and we’ll be kind of scary. Go Bucs!!
May 4th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Until he proves otherwise in pads, this dude is no more than a Jaelen Darden clone.
May 4th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Aqualung
Where would we be without your perpetual negativy. Nobody can say what you just posted is incorrect, in fact it’s true of MANY
May 4th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
How big were Edelman and Welker in N. E. ?
Taz is way faster than either of those guys. Just curious if he could fulfill a similar role with us as they did with N. E.
May 4th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
He’s a slower, 25lb lighter version of Jaelon Darden. Anybody remember how that worked out?
May 4th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
GoneGator, Edelman and Welker were both 40-50lbs heavier, and Edelman was faster while Welker was a little slower. Both were also former QB’s, that were excellent at reading defenses, which is why they had such a good connection with Brady.
May 4th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
^^
Tank Dell also produced for Houston these last two years.
May 4th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
Size matters in the NFL, moreso than speed alone. This guy will take one big boy hit and realize this ain’t The Big Ten. 154 lbs is slight. My daughter who dances competitively at 5’6, weighs as much as he does. She’s 15. Most LB’s in the NFL may run as fast as he does so what threat is speed truly alone? Give me one successful player that made an NFL roster and contributed at that size? This is an ornamental pick IMO. I expect nothing to come if it.
May 4th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
Admiral Redbeard, watched Welker play at a small Ok. High school. OU should have recruited him. He was a great running back and punt returner. Could kick 50 yard field goals. But he didn’t play QB.
May 4th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Harsh man and to make Bucky happy ?? He was hangin at the house watching it all take place. Tom was the first to get to say hey can you get this guy and Baker has gotten a couple of picks and Shep. Any I know the unexpected happened but something different than a need but it’s all been working. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
May 4th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Possibly the best value pick of the draft
May 4th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
I will say watching more film on Tez, he doesn’t look as small as he is – I think in large part because he’s 5′ 10″. Most guys at his weight are shorter – and I do wonder if that might give me more of a chance to make it in the NFL. If you line him up on the line, he’s going to get knocked around by corners, but running screens, end arounds, or going up against soft zones, he might do some damage. Anyone who looked at his 40-time and thinks that means anything, you need to watch some highlights and you’ll see him running away from guys. No idea why he tested so poorly, but he is absolutely not a guy lacking quickness or long speed – and running out of a sprinters stance didn’t do him any justice. Additionally, the most conclusive evidence of that, is that he reached like 22.3mph during a game – which would have been one of the top 5 fastest speeds clocked in the NFL last year. One final thing, watching his film, he looks small – but not 154-pounds small, from tape I’d think he was around 170 – again, I believe that’s likely down to his height, and the way he’s armored up with pads. Anywho, as a return guy and gimmick player, I’m thinking he’ll make the team – and once he gets on the field, who knows.
May 5th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
spbf – really? I’m not negative all the time by any means. I’m pleased with the draft and don’t mind the mosquito in the 7th, because it was the 7th. I applaud Jason at every chance for the job he does, and give the head coach the highest marks for his Human Resources skills. You must need an emotional support animal or the equivalent if saying this guy is Jaelon Darden II triggers you. Darden was drafted earlier with higher accolades and is who many thought he was. Of course it would be great if he turns into the next Peanut Smith. I doubt it’s happening, that’s all.
May 5th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Ok, after further review, the mosquito is going to suck.