Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: KeeSean Johnson, WR ARI

Dwight Peebles Posted On May 31, 2019

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Name: KeeSean Johnson

Position: Wide Receiver

Pro Team: Arizona Cardinals

College Team: Fresno State Bulldogs

Draft Status: Sixth round, 174th overall

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

COMBINE REVIEW

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 201 pounds
Arms: 32”
Hands: 9 ½ ”
40-Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds
Bench press: 14 reps
Vertical Jump: 43 ½”
Broad Jump: 117”
3-Cone Drill: 7.28 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.23 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A

STRENGTHS

Runs all routes, technical and precise
Strong hands, routinely plucks passes out of the air
Smooth runner, athletic but not overly impressive
Increase in production every year in college
Run after the catch ability is one of his strengths, elusive runner
Blocks and keeps after defensive backs, the motor doesn’t stop
Creates and maintains separation in routes
Not explosive, still creates separation right off the snap due with footwork
Smart player, aware of sidelines, tracks well, works back to QB

WEAKNESSES

Level of competition, didn’t play against good corners
Needs to add strength and some bulk
Doesn’t have a second gear, can’t separate on second level with speed
Has not experienced press coverage, will need time to learn to adjust
Must learn nuances like varying route speed to create separation

OPPORTUNITIES

Johnson left Fresno State as the all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, beating out records set by Davante Adams, the current Packers star receiver. He was a three-year starter whose production increased every year, culminating in a 2018 season in which he produced 95 grabs, 1,340 yards, and eight touchdowns. He lined up all over the formation at Fresno State and was one of the most technically sound receivers available in the draft.

The combine put aspects of Johnson’s game under the microscope and displayed why he wasn’t one of the top wideouts even with his college production. He has a good blend of height, weight, and length, but his athletic profile is, simply put, average. His 40-yard dash and 3-cone times were in the lower half amongst receivers, and he looked sound but not great in the drills.

Arizona selected Johnson in the sixth round as their third receiver taken this year. Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk are entrenched as starters. The other starting spot will come down to fellow draftees Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler, as well as Chad Williams and free-agent signee Kevin White.

THREATS

It is going to be tough for Johnson to break into the starting lineup and get the targets he needs to be successful. Fitzgerald is the man, but for how much longer? Kirk showed he belongs and should get better this season. I don’t see Williams and White factoring in the race for a starting spot; they are not as talented as the Cardinals’ three 2019 rookies. Isabella is a slot receiver who caught a ton of balls in college and should push Kirk out of the slot. Butler is the alpha-type receiver. He will be groomed to take the X receiver spot. This leaves Johnson to fight for his role. He’s not quick enough to man the slot and not athletic enough to beat out Butler or Fitzgerald for the X role. His skill set fits the role which Kirk will most likely fill, the possession complimentary receiver to lineup opposite Fitzgerald or Butler.

SHORT-TERM EXPECTATIONS

It will be extremely difficult for Johnson to get on the field regularly unless there is an injury or he quickly develops a connection with Kyler Murray. His skill set is good but not enough to break through and beat out any of the other wide receivers in the Cardinals’ locker room without a little luck. Johnson will still see the field, particularly in four-wide sets, and the offense under new coach Kliff Kingsbury should run a healthy share of those. A safe projection for Johnson in his rookie season is 25 catches, 275 yards, and 2 touchdowns.

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

The long-term outlook for Johnson is better but the role he plays will be a WR2/WR3 at best. He is a pure possession receiver without the speed and acceleration to make him an elite target. He will always play better as a second or third wide receiver and a player that can move the chains and be a reliable target. He will occasionally make a big play running after the catch.

The ceiling for Johnson is in the 60 catches, 700 yards, 5 touchdown range. More realistically, he will be slightly below that on average, with a season above that range an anomaly. Unless the Cardinals move on from a few options and the road to targets gets clearer, Johnson will always be fighting for playing time and looks from their young quarterback.

NFL PLAYER COMPARISON

It was tough to find a good comparison for Johnson, he has some Roddy White in his game, but isn’t the deep threat he was. There are similarities to Adam Thielen as well, but he will not be as good as Thielen. The route running of Johnson comps to both guys: crisp and focused on technique to create advantages, but with nuances making them elite – something Johnson has not quite grasped. If he can learn the little things and add some bulk, he could be a WR2, complementing an offense with an elite WR1 option. The ceiling isn’t as high as Thielen’s, although there is a lot to his game that I see in Johnson.

PROJECTED ROOKIE DRAFT RANGE

According to our Rookie ADP, Johnson is currently 42.20 on average in the May rookie mock drafts. He is currently the 18th receiver drafted on average during rookie drafts. He is consistently being drafted in the fourth round, and sometimes goes undrafted. He’s is in dart-throw territory, and has a long road ahead of him to be fantasy relevant.