How Good Is Tez Johnson?
November 10th, 2025
After weighing in at 154 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and being drafted by the Bucs in Round 7, rookie receiver Tez Johnson had very low expectations placed on him.
Johnson was supposed to be the Bucs’ answer to their punt-return woes. On offense, he was expected to be buried on the bench behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Baker Mayfield’s good friend Sterling Shepard.
The Oregon star was going to be a fun returner and a talented gadget receiver in development. But it hasn’t played out that way.
After losing the returner job in training camp, Johnson made his fourth start of the season at receiver yesterday. He’s got 14 catches with 4 touchdown grabs in his last four games.
Long before the draft, JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan was pounding a drum loudly for Johnson, barking that his size and official speed totals should be ignored. Sullivan begged fans to turn on the Johnson film and recommended bringing a tissue to wipe up the drool.
Joe obliged and was impressed. But even Sullivan would have to say Johnson’s steady growth and production after half a season is somewhat surprising.
Joe watches Johnson on the All-22 film and wonders what his ceiling is and how he might best be used. It’s a challenging question for a unique player. And it’s probably the exact puzzle Josh Grizzard needs to figure out if the Bucs offense is going to be good enough to beat quality teams before Bucky Irving and Mike Evans return.
November 10th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
He reminds me of a Dave Meggett type of player.
November 10th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
GMs make their reputation with 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th round picks…..I think Bucs fans LOVE The Tez!
November 10th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
What are you seeing on the all 22?
November 10th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
I love Tez he brings that suddenness we lack.
That’s why miss buckets. We lack discipline.
Damn those big plays should not be happening,
Same with Lions game. Do your job in the field
November 10th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Why does Grizzard rarely get him the ball in space?
November 10th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
I love all 22 Joe I can See who’s blowing coverages.
I was blessed to play a Div1 level I get it🤙🏾👊🏾
November 10th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Tez has earned Sheps reps imo…
Tez plays smart and fast….
Shep is a decent hype man but he does have mental hiccups…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 10th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
He’s alright until you need to run a toss/sweep/any outside run where he’s split out. Asking/expecting him to block is a no-go
November 10th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Should have let CG go save that money for next years picks or salary’s I love Chris but we got good depth.
November 10th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Tez is a good player going in confidence, but he isn’t Mike Evans or CG. Grizzard has failed to adapt the gamelan to the players we have. Our passing game struggles because our gamelan was built around Evans and EE is going to be great I feel but he is no ME13 at this point.
November 10th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
WBL
lol…you know the sang!!!
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”.
Tez fits that to the tee!!!..lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 10th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Notice he didn’t do the backflip on his second TD …..because we were losing…class
November 10th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
LOL @813
I expect that “tee” size is a schmedium 🤣🤣🤣. My boy needs to spend the offseason at a hibachi restaurant or take some of his earnings and hire a personal hibachi chef or a membership to his fav buffet
November 10th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Great role player, probably can develop into something more once he adds weight but excellent 3rd or 4th option for now….
Even without Evans or Godwin, too much talent on this Bucs offense for it to look the way it has in recent weeks.
Grizzard needs to call better and Baker needs to play better. Simple as that.
November 10th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Cant beleive not a single article regarding our trash head coach
November 10th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
I can now name 2 games shep single handedly contributed to the loss Ina major way.
1 was the cowboys game last year where he dropped 2 perfect balls. They were both game changers.
Patriots game.
I think we should give Shepards role to Tex and bring up Greene
November 10th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Looked to be more open than EE several times but the ball was forced to EE instead.
Tez is the ticket 🎟️
If Mek is going to get doubled Tez COULD feast. He’s got great hands. He gets seperation. Baker needs to trust him enough to throw him the ball more. Grizz needs to scheme him more touches. He’s WR 2 or 2a with Shep.
Behind them I’d look at giving somebody else who will produce (Miller?) Kam Johnson’s snaps.
November 10th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Tez is the real deal and can be a full-time possession receiver and home run threat. With speed to spare. Catching two TDs in a game should clue in Grizz that he is more than a gadget receiver and someone who should have plays designed for him.
He is smart enough to avoid getting clocked and knows how to take a hit by going down. Unlike Tank Dell, who is basically the same size.
PLEASE work him in to the offense!
November 10th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Tbbucs3. “Simple as that.” Spoken like a true simpleton.
November 10th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
WBL
LOL!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 10th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
The kid has rocket speed and good hands. Use the dude as long as you can. If he can stay healthy until help arrives he deserves a big bonus!
November 10th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
We have to make them pay for double teaming EE, it looks like her only option for the next month is going to be Tez
November 10th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
How can you NOT like the MVP?
November 10th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Johnson also did a hell of a job avoiding an illegal blocking penalty when a play ran past him, and rather than blocking somebody, he stood almost still and moved just enough of his body in the way to slow the defender down.
Compare that to Shephard whose stupid penalty may have actually cost the team the game.
November 10th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Tez seems pretty solid. Seems time to move on from Sterling Shepard.
November 10th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
He looks good except when he runs into our own receiver. I saw Sunday that he was right next to other receivers with Baker throwing in other directions. He is the common denominator in these situations. Hopefully the x and o designs aren’t having receivers in the same area because that limits options for Baker.
November 10th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
He is a great player for baker on the scramble drill
November 10th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
How many quality teams are there? Overall, play in the NFL this year has been average at best. Are the Bills a quality team? They got blown out by the Dolphins! Detroit? They have three losses, same as the Buccaneers. KC? They have four losses? Eagles? If they lose tonight they will have three losses, same as the Buccaneers. San Diego? They got crushed by the Giants. Packers? They lost to Carolina and were tied by the 2 win Cowboys? Seattle and Indianapolis are the only teams with fewer losses. Indy was taken to overtime by the Falcons yesterday. Is there a team out there that a healthy Buccaneers team couldn’t beat?
November 10th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Call some plays for this guy
November 10th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Yeah, I’m not sure why we don’t look for him on those 3rd / 4th and 3yards plays. Most CBs can’t check him off the line – especially if he’s moving at the snap. He gets quick separation – perfect for those short yardage situations. Felt like we forced it to much to EE yesterday – felt like we threw at Gonzalez more than we should…oh well, hopefully we figure it out.
November 10th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
Glad to see everyone on the ship Shep bandwagon. It’s time.
November 10th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
It looks like for the next month our only hope is that Tez starts getting as many targets as EE, and does something with them
November 10th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
NEXT DUCK UP FOR THE BUCS?
Licht has a good inside track at Oregon … Bucky and Tez.
So, who’s potentially the next Duck-Buc? Just ask me … an Oregon Duck.
1. A’Mauri Washington – 330 lbs – DT
Great future replacement for Vea. Would be crazy rushing next to Vea. He gets penetration.
2. Bryce Boettcher – ILB
He was drafted by MLB so we’ll see. He totally fits Licht’s profile (Captain, Great Culture Guy, Eats and Sleeps Football). Super instinctive, High Football IQ.
Who do I think the Bucs will draft overall?
Elijah Sarratt – WR – 6’2 203 lbs – IU – Round 3
Emeka clone.
November 10th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Offense should be the Egbuka, Tez, and Tucker show right now with Tucker getting as many catches as backs like Achane do. I think with that formula we start winning again. Especially if Baker gets healthy…
November 10th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
He’s better then Travis hunter lol
November 10th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Tez has a knack for finding the end zone and getting open for touchdowns. ( love the flips) he’s just flashy, and Baker trusts him. If he stays healthy he’s an all pro and pro bowl receiver for sure. Our Bucs need to hang on to him and develop him. Tez was another great acquisition (7th round) by Jason Licht !!
The Bucs really have so many talented players!! I’m looking for big things as we progress through the season !!
Let’s Go !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Bills !!
November 10th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
One thing that I’ve noticed quite a lot is our perimeter blocking is SO MUCH weaker without Godwin and Evans in there. They are beastly blockers and it makes a huge difference on the success of outside runs and screens.
November 10th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Where is Bruce Arians when we need him? Can he be our o.c. ?
November 10th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Give him deeper routes and keep the tight ends in to block. How about at least once a game? Lizard can you give us that?
November 10th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Kenton, ditto re the simpleton
November 10th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
EE , Tez and Green ,,, I know green is afterthought but he had a good preseason and returned some nick punts ,,,, throw in JMac and Otten going forward and it’s a nice group going forward
November 10th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
He looks like a rookie on the all 22 and that Jason should have traded for a wr. 🤷
November 10th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Tez has the ability to take over games if Baker would please target him more!
Especially with Egbuka getting the #1 CB and double teams…
November 10th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Bruce Arians should definitely be re-inserted as OC. Grizzard sucks, demote him or fire him
November 10th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Joe watches Johnson on the All-22 film and wonders what his ceiling is and how he might best be used.
———
Joe – I have not seen his ALL22, how is he holding up in man? The worry, at his weight, is that he’ll get knocked off routes and jammed badly at the line. I know he can play vs zone – but it’s man to man when guys his weight normally struggles.
November 10th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
I will say, going back to the draft, watching his tape that day, his weight was the only reason he dropped. His tape looked great, he was running away from guys who ran 4.4’s in the draft – and if he was 15-20 pounds heavier, he’d have been a 2nd round pick – again that’s what I said the day of the draft. The thing that makes him different from most guys at his weight is that he’s 5′ 10″ – and on tape, he didn’t look tiny, and with all the padding, he actually just looked like a normal smaller receiver, but not a guy who looked way undersized.
Anyways, what a find. Imagine where the Bucs would be right now without the two rookie WRs. What would they be doing, starting Shepherd and Miller? The team would be in a complete free fall.
Also, stop quoting 40 times with zero context. Said it at the time, but reading his profile his 40 time seemed concerning at his size – but then watching the tape, it was completely obvious that 40 time was either a bad run, or he’s faster in pads, because as I said above and at the time, he’s running away from 2nd and 3rd round draft picks who ran 4.4’s. Also they measured his in-game speed above 22mph, which would have been like the 5th fastest play in the NFL last year. Yet the morons in the comments just kept yapping about his 40 time – the same dopes who now talk about passer rating as if it’s a real number that means anything.
November 10th, 2025 at 9:31 pm
Wow so before the draft, Joe was demanding the Bucs take a look at Egbuka and Sean Sullivan was pounding a drum loudly for Tez johnson. look how it all turned out. Amazing!
November 10th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
++++++++++++++Buddga – “Is there a team out there that a healthy Buccaneers team couldn’t beat?”
Well, season ending injuries to a couple of our starters make the question moot. I certainly believe the Bucs could beat anyone with Evans, Godwin, McMillan and Bucky playing even knowing we won’t get Kancy or Mauch back.
Of course, we may never see all of them on the field together this season. Heck, other than one series of downs this past game, when was the last time the Bucs had more than three of their starting offensive linemen in the game at the same time?
It’s the same story every year. The teams in the dance are the ones that stayed the healthiest. A whole lot of luck is involved.
November 10th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
My big criticism with Tez… that back flip had a lot of height but kind of pedestrian. Where’s the twist?!
😂
Love that guy!
November 10th, 2025 at 10:45 pm
Getting open is a skill, kind of like blocking and tackling. It can be taught but some guys just have it. Tez has it. Alot of upside. I like McMillan a bunch, too. Tez had a feel for the defensive looks you’ll see in the NFL even quicker than Jalen was last year. It’s why guys like Palmer don’t make it. Mike and Chris and Emeka and Tez and Jalen are masters of getting open. Because they can read defensive coverages and they see what the QB sees. When those 5 are healthy it’d be hard to overstate what it would mean for the team.
November 11th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Tez isn’t just fast; he’s extremely well coordinated and smart. That will drive DBs nuts even if the game is rigged. Gonna be interesting Sunday as Bucs will not be favored. Hopefully, no more Bucs got nailed by injuries.
November 11th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Ok everyone, I did not read all of the above posts. But Grizzard has an answer alone with Tea in the receiver Room right now. If Tez can get special route training then, there can be some special attention giving to Devin Culp. This give Otto some breathers and it adds some more speed and size to the routes. So, our OC is still developing but now is the time to use the weapons in house to the best of their ability. What happened to the (3) TE sets, 44/01 RB, Durham as Full back, Culp as WR, Otto as TE. run the screen, TE Crossing route or Seam routes, all from this formation. Be like the old Green Bay Packers, run it until they prove it can not work. Pound 44 and 01 from this set. Tell Durham his job is to plow anyone that is in his way. And emphasize “PLOW ANYONE” that get in the way. let’s tell our receiver that they will be down field blocker on running plays and to lower the boom on the DB’s and LB’s when they can. Let play physical foot ball. Let our linemen have some fun pounding the other guys for a while. No chip blocks, full body directional impact blocks to give the RB a lane to go into. Go Bucs, Go Bucs. If Miami can destroy the Bills, then we should be able to do the same. Do Not Go Into the This Game thinking passing. Go into this game thinking Running, Running and Running some more. Tucker and White , Otto and Culp, Tez and EE. But run first…………