What happened to Anthony Johnson?

[McBean]

I live out of town and don’t watch UB.

 

I remember back in the fall where I saw in mock drafts him going in the first round!!!

 

Now, he goes undrafted!??

 

Anybody know wtf happened to this kid?

[teef]

herpes.

[eball]

2 minutes ago, teef said:

herpes.

 

I thought it was the clap.

[oldmanfan]

UFA to the Bucs.  I was really surprised he didn't get picked

[YoloinOhio]

I don’t have it offhand but saw on twitter over the weekend that he didn’t want to go to Bills if offered as a Udfa 

[MrEpsYtown]

I guessing maybe he did not interview well. His numbers and workout stuff was okay, nothing earth shattering, 

[YoloinOhio]

 

[NoHuddleKelly12]

3 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

His loss then! 

[freddyjj]

per Lance Zierlein scouting report  on NFL.com - not a special talent or athlete.

 

Weaknesses

• Clunky in working around press
• Slow to release and get into routes
• Lack of early speed for quick climbs past cornerbacks
• Dull footwork getting in and out of breaks
• Could struggle with quickness to uncover underneath
• Easy vertical wins could dry up against NFL speed
• Has habit of slowing strides when ball is in the air
• Very inconsistent deep adjustments
• Allows vertical routes to get squeezed against sideline

Sometimes these guys think they are better than they are and it comes across in how they deal with teams - "no part of Buffalo Bills" equates to the thought he would be drafted elsewhere  - SURPRISE!  

 

Best guess is probably a 1/3 chance of making Tampa's roster.

 

Edited April 29, 2019 by freddyjj

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, freddyjj said:

per Lance Zierlein scouting report  on NFL.com - not a special talent or athlete.

 

Weaknesses

• Clunky in working around press
• Slow to release and get into routes
• Lack of early speed for quick climbs past cornerbacks
• Dull footwork getting in and out of breaks
• Could struggle with quickness to uncover underneath
• Easy vertical wins could dry up against NFL speed
• Has habit of slowing strides when ball is in the air
• Very inconsistent deep adjustments
• Allows vertical routes to get squeezed against sideline

Sometimes these guys think they are better than they are and it comes across in how they deal with teams - "no part of Buffalo Bills" equates to he thought he would be drafted elsewhere  - SURPRISE!  

 

Best guess is probably a 1/3 chance of making Tampa's roster.

 

Most of those negatives are around his bad footnwork and his bad release

 

he May not be a world class athlete but he is very talented.. every scout in the world had a draftable grade on him

 

he also played hurt all year so his real speed never truly showed.. he isn’t world class fast but he can get deep

[DCOrange]

51 minutes ago, McBean said:

I live out of town and don’t watch UB.

 

I remember back in the fall where I saw in mock drafts him going in the first round!!!

 

Now, he goes undrafted!??

 

Anybody know wtf happened to this kid?

 

If I remember correctly, those were the CBS and PFF mocks. CBS is notoriously terrible with their draft coverage. PFF is good but at that point in the process, their mocks are (I think) based on what they would personally do; not what they believe teams will actually do.

 

And as I mentioned throughout the year, this year's WR class was insanely deep. For awhile, people had Johnson pegged in the 5-10 range as far as WRs go while others had him outside the top 25 WRs. Eventually almost everyone moved him down into the 20's.

[WMDman]

Dude couldn’t separate from DBs in the MAC

Edited April 29, 2019 by WMDman

[dollars 2 donuts]

4 hours ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

His loss then! 

 

 

Honestly, HUD, having watched him in person I like him, but there were times where it looked like he was honestly the 2nd or 3rd best receiver on the team.

 

I know he had the best numbers, but I just liked some of what Osborn did better.

Edited April 30, 2019 by dollars 2 donuts

[IgotBILLStopay]

1 hour ago, eball said:

 

I thought it was the clap.

Did he get it from McD??

[JESSEFEFFER]

Very strange draft year for WR.  Lots of the bigger players fell and the smaller guys pushed up.  If Hakeem Butler fell to the 4th, and DK to the end of the 2nd, then AJ not getting drafted at all doesn't seem like an outlier.  He showed plenty of RAC ability so the separation thing I do not buy.  If anything, I think its that he was lacking any elite trait.  He is sort of the six iron in your golf bag.  I can see him making their roster.

 

PFF had him as the highest graded returning WR but he earned the grade against a MAC schedule.  Chris Trapasso wrote the CBS piece and I got the impression that he was just throwing the local players' names out there at the start of the season as more of a community service, showing some love to guys who otherwise were to be overlooked.

[ndirish1978]

Beggars being choosers. The kid is nothing special and I have no idea why people were so big on him other than blatant homerism

[billspro]

56 minutes ago, JESSEFEFFER said:

Very strange draft year for WR.  Lots of the bigger players fell and the smaller guys pushed up.  If Hakeem Butler fell to the 4th, and DK to the end of the 2nd, then AJ not getting drafted at all doesn't seem like an outlier.  He showed plenty of RAC ability so the separation thing I do not buy.  If anything, I think its that he was lacking any elite trait.  He is sort of the six iron in your golf bag.  I can see him making their roster.

 

PFF had him as the highest graded returning WR but he earned the grade against a MAC schedule.  Chris Trapasso wrote the CBS piece and I got the impression that he was just throwing the local players' names out there at the start of the season as more of a community service, showing some love to guys who otherwise were to be overlooked.

 

Seems like there is a philosophy change in the NFL. Teams would rather have route runners than big guys or athletes. It makes sense because there have been so many first round WR busts lately.

[Happy]

Can't have too many Johnsons on a team.  He was one too many. 

[Turk71]

14 minutes ago, ndirish1978 said:

Beggars being choosers. The kid is nothing special and I have no idea why people were so big on him other than blatant homerism

WR ANTHONY JOHNSON, BUFFALO (OVERALL: 171ST)

Among draft-eligible FBS wide receivers with at least 100 targets over the past two seasons, Johnson ranked tied for first in receptions of 15-plus yards (61) and second in yards per route run (3.48).

 

 

I don't think the pff team of analysts are Buffalo homers, NFL.com had a 4th round grade on him. Pretty sure they are not homers either.

[Buffalo716]

1 hour ago, WMDman said:

Dude couldn’t separate from DBs in the MAC

Thats false

 

he played with a bum hammy all year and didn’t have his explosiveness and he still got good separation 80% of the time

 

2 seasons ago he was torching DBs from game 1.. he had zero trouble creating separation when healthy

 

he struggles with his release and his footwork Which really hinders his route development.. he can be pressed by good corners and they will force him to the sidelines and cut off his route 

 

when he has a clean release he has no problem creating separation ... he isn’t slow and he can stack his deep route

Edited April 29, 2019 by Buffalo716

[Turk71]

1 hour ago, freddyjj said:

per Lance Zierlein scouting report  on NFL.com - not a special talent or athlete.

 

Weaknesses

• Clunky in working around press
• Slow to release and get into routes
• Lack of early speed for quick climbs past cornerbacks
• Dull footwork getting in and out of breaks
• Could struggle with quickness to uncover underneath
• Easy vertical wins could dry up against NFL speed
• Has habit of slowing strides when ball is in the air
• Very inconsistent deep adjustments
• Allows vertical routes to get squeezed against sideline

Sometimes these guys think they are better than they are and it comes across in how they deal with teams - "no part of Buffalo Bills" equates to the thought he would be drafted elsewhere  - SURPRISE!  

 

Best guess is probably a 1/3 chance of making Tampa's roster.

 

You only mention his weaknesses. The same guy who wrote that analysis gave him a 4th rnd grade. 

[freddyjj]

7 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

You only mention his weaknesses. The same guy who wrote that analysis gave him a 4th rnd grade. 

Fair dinkum.   The question posed was why did he drop so far.  I provided the possible reasons why. 

 

Btw I am a UB Alum and would have loved to see him, Hodge or Jackson drafted but with less than 255 guys handpicked I realize that the last 3-4 rounds are a crap shoot. 

 

Here's hoping they make rosters. 

Edited April 29, 2019 by freddyjj

[Turk71]

19 minutes ago, freddyjj said:

Fair dinkum.   The question posed was why did he drop so far.  I provided the possible reasons why. 

 

Btw I am a UB Alum and would have loved to see him, Hodge or Jackson drafted but with less than 255 guys handpicked I realize that the last 3-4 rounds are a crap shoot. 

 

Here's hoping they make rosters. 

I didn't see any UB football this year and don't know much about him, I just know that he was on a lot of analysts big boards and was expected by many to be drafted. A lot of the receivers dropped lower in the draft than expected it seems. Hakeem Butler, a 6'5" speedy receiver with the most 20 plus yd rec of anyone in the draft went in the 4th rnd. Personally I think he will end up being a steal. 

[freddyjj]

3 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

I didn't see any UB football this year and don't know much about him, I just know that he was on a lot of analysts big boards and was expected by many to be drafted. A lot of the receivers dropped lower in the draft than expected it seems. Hakeem Butler, a 6'5" speedy receiver with the most 20 plus yd rec of anyone in the draft went in the 4th rnd. Personally I think he will end up being a steal. 

The guys on the draft network shows said Butler was hurt by the following. 

 

Hakeem Butler has a case of the dropsies. A bad one… While watching his tape, it became apparent that Butler was not a reliable target. Not only did he drop contested catches, but uncontested ones as well. These drops did not occur as irregularities, they were a constant fixture of his play style. Butler dropped 12 passes in 2018, which rendered him a drop rate of 16.7%. Butler’s issue with drops appears to stem from a lack of concentration, but it is hard to pinpoint the issue. Whether or not it is curable at the NFL level is debatable. Plenty of receivers come into the league with an unwanted tendency to drop the ball and never progress past it.

[NewEra]

Everyone forgot about him due too DK with his shirt off

[Turk71]

7 minutes ago, freddyjj said:

The guys on the draft network shows said Butler was hurt by the following. 

 

Hakeem Butler has a case of the dropsies. A bad one… While watching his tape, it became apparent that Butler was not a reliable target. Not only did he drop contested catches, but uncontested ones as well. These drops did not occur as irregularities, they were a constant fixture of his play style. Butler dropped 12 passes in 2018, which rendered him a drop rate of 16.7%. Butler’s issue with drops appears to stem from a lack of concentration, but it is hard to pinpoint the issue. Whether or not it is curable at the NFL level is debatable. Plenty of receivers come into the league with an unwanted tendency to drop the ball and never progress past it.

I had heard that, interesting that the link you posted talks about his high drop rate and then finishes by giving him a 2nd rnd grade. I have no doubt the drops were a big reason for his drop but I still have a feeling he is gonna be really good.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

One preseason magazine predicted he'd be an All American.  Must have played hurt most, if not all of the season.

[Buffalo716]

7 minutes ago, Formerly Allan in MD said:

One preseason magazine predicted he'd be an All American.  Must have played hurt most, if not all of the season.

He pulled a hammy in the offseason iirc and then tweaked it again week 2-3... or somewhere around there 

 

he was hampered by it all year... he only played about 10 or so snaps vs Army... and miss chunks of a few games

 

make no mistakes though.. he was the best player on the team and made plenty of NFL plays.. he will stick around the league 

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, freddyjj said:

The guys on the draft network shows said Butler was hurt by the following. 

 

Hakeem Butler has a case of the dropsies. A bad one… While watching his tape, it became apparent that Butler was not a reliable target. Not only did he drop contested catches, but uncontested ones as well. These drops did not occur as irregularities, they were a constant fixture of his play style. Butler dropped 12 passes in 2018, which rendered him a drop rate of 16.7%. Butler’s issue with drops appears to stem from a lack of concentration, but it is hard to pinpoint the issue. Whether or not it is curable at the NFL level is debatable. Plenty of receivers come into the league with an unwanted tendency to drop the ball and never progress past it.

 

I said multiple times Butler scared me and intrigued me all a the same time.  His highlight reel looks awesome...his full games look awesome and bad at the same time.  He dropped way too many passes and at times he would remind me of James Hardy.  He has a high celling but also a very low floor.  That being said, had we taken a WR in the 2nd round, I would have been fine taking him if the following guys were already gone in no particular order:  DK, Harry, Deebo, AJ Brown, Marquise Brown.  Those were my top 5 wants in rounds 1 or 2 if we went WR.  I had him in my 2nd group of guys like Butler, Campbell, etc.  

 

He is going to a good situation though where he gets to learn from a legend at least one year, start fresh with the Heisman trophy winner, and has a great shot to be a starter come next year once Fitz retires.  I doubt he starts this year with Fitz and Kirk there though.

[ehfeuh57]

He's a very good natural receiver and will make it in the NFL

[The Dean]

6 hours ago, freddyjj said:

per Lance Zierlein scouting report  on NFL.com - not a special talent or athlete.

 

Weaknesses

• Clunky in working around press
• Slow to release and get into routes
• Lack of early speed for quick climbs past cornerbacks
• Dull footwork getting in and out of breaks
• Could struggle with quickness to uncover underneath
• Easy vertical wins could dry up against NFL speed
• Has habit of slowing strides when ball is in the air
• Very inconsistent deep adjustments
• Allows vertical routes to get squeezed against sideline

Sometimes these guys think they are better than they are and it comes across in how they deal with teams - "no part of Buffalo Bills" equates to the thought he would be drafted elsewhere  - SURPRISE!  

 

Best guess is probably a 1/3 chance of making Tampa's roster.

 

 

Wow, that Lance Zierlein ONLY listed weaknesses for a player with no strengths?  Hard to believe anyone worth paying attention to would list only the weaknesses of a player and ignore any strengths. IMO, of course.

 

?

[KD in CA]

7 hours ago, freddyjj said:

 

Weaknesses

• Clunky in working around press

 

Wow, they really take those media interviews seriously.

[Magnum Force]

7 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

Was this being drafted by them or signing as a UDFA because they didn't draft him?

[Putin]

7 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I don’t have it offhand but saw on twitter over the weekend that he didn’t want to go to Bills if offered as a Udfa 

If that’s the case then фак him 

I hope he’ll be watching Bills on tv

(at Walmart while stocking shelves) when we’re hosting our first playoff game 

Edited April 30, 2019 by Putin

[Captain_Quint]

He'll be swallowed alive by DBs in the NFL. They guy sunk like a stone for a reason in the draft. Cant separate. Didnt want to play for the Bills. Game over. 

 

[HOUSE]

I am losing sleep over this....

[eball]

Any insight as to why AJ "wanted no part of Buffalo?"

[Mrbojanglezs]

To get drafted out of the MAC you have to be DOMINANT. Plus it was a crowded class if mid round talent 2nd-5th rounders.

[JESSEFEFFER]

Dionte Johnson of Toledo taken in the 3rd by the Steelers.  I do not think that any position group was a poorer match between the semiprofessional scouts' ratings and the actual draft than the WRs.  It's sort of like predicting the most popular flavors of the 31 at Baskin-Robbins on any given day.

[YoloinOhio]

11 hours ago, Magnum Force said:

Was this being drafted by them or signing as a UDFA because they didn't draft him?

Based on the tweet (which is from someone with Buffalo Fanatics) it was both. The team was aware that he did not want to be on the Bills, so they neither drafted him nor attempted to sign him. Beane mentioned multiple times yesterday his close they are to the UB program (signed two of their UDFAs) so if this is true I’m sure he was aware.