Tyler Johnson had a few promising performances for Tom Brady’s first couple of Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams, but since then, he has failed to find a foothold in the NFL. He didn’t catch a pass for the Houston Texans in 2022 and grabbed only two with the Los Angeles Rams last year, although one was a touchdown.
However, he far surpassed his production of the past two years with a strong opening day in 2024; is this the sign of a new beginning for the receiver?
Should Tyler Johnson Be Added on the Fantasy Waiver Wire in Week 2?
The Rams may have come up short on opening day against the Detroit Lions, but Johnson had a career day with five catches for 79 yards. He’s never caught more passes in any game, and the yardage number set a new career high. So is he set for an expanded role this season?
At the very least, Johnson is clearly a bigger factor than he was a year ago; the only question is by how much. In the immediate term, his role could be quite significant; 2023 rookie breakout star Puka Nacua is hitting the IR, and with him unavailable, there’s no clear-cut second receiver behind Cooper Kupp.
Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell both had more significant roles than Johnson a year ago. However, after Johnson significantly outperformed both of them so significantly (42 yards for Robinson and none for Atwell) on Sunday night, it’s worth revisiting that pecking order.
Johnson and Robinson both received seven targets, well below the staggering total of 21 for Kupp, but enough to indicate that both could be significant factors with Nacua out. The severity of Nacua’s injury and, thus, the length of his absence will go a long way towards defining Johnson’s fantasy value.
If you need immediate help at wide receiver, Johnson could save your season while you look for a long-term option. The Rams offense is going to be one of the league’s best with Matthew Stafford at the helm and Sean McVay calling plays, so just about any receiver getting a significant target share will be productive in a fantasy capacity.
Conversely, if Johnson is on your roster, now might be the time to trade him to a team in need. Los Angeles’s reliance on Kupp implies that they won’t be afraid to make the air game a two-man show when Nacua is back, so Johnson probably won’t be all that productive if and when the offense is fully healthy.