Credit where it's due: Juwan Johnson is proving he belongs in the conversation for the best tight ends in the NFL. He made several clutch catches in Sunday's upset of the Baltimore Ravens, totaling four receptions for 66 yards (and what should have been a decisive New Orleans Saints touchdown, ruled short at the goal line). Johnson gained 25 yards on a long third down to keep a drive alive, forcing multiple missed tackles and converting several first downs throughout the afternoon.
But this isn't a new development. Since the Saints named Tyler Shough their starting quarterback, Johnson has averaged 5.2 receptions per game and 58.3 receiving yards per game. That would have tied George Kittle and Kyle Pitts for third-best in catches per game last
season behind Brock Bowers (5.3) and Trey McBride (7.4), who was the only tight end with more yards per game (72.9). We knew Johnson would be an important piece of the passing game -- every offense Kellen Moore has ever run funneled targets to the tight ends -- yet Johnson is proving a lot of doubters wrong week in, week out.
And he can block. Johnson took point on a critical two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, paving the way for running back Travis Etienne Jr. while his fellow tight end Noah Fant provided a screen. He's handling a lot of responsibility as the team's TE1, and so far, Johnson is delivering.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Juwan Johnson proving he belongs among NFL's top tight ends
