Juwan Johnson Could Have a Much Bigger Role in 2025

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson is coming off his best season in the NFL and is looking to have an even better one in 2025.

In a year of tremendous failure, Johnson was perhaps one of the more consistent pieces on the Saints team. He finished the season as the Saints’ leading receiver, hauling in 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns. Aside from Kamara, he was the healthiest offensive weapon the Saints had in 2024.

Johnson signed a three-year, $30.75 million extension, with $21.25 million fully guaranteed, with New Orleans back in March — a rather hefty extension for a player who only has 1,622 career receiving yards across five seasons. But if we look further into the roster, we can see why the Saints paid him that much.

RECEIVING CONCERNS FOR THE SAINTS

All offseason, questions regarding the lack of height at the receiver position for the Saints have been loud. The current big three of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks average a height of 5-foot-11 — not ideal. Well, that is, if height is that important.

In today’s NFL, separation is becoming more important every year in receiving, while height and physicality are diminishing traits. Players like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are perfect examples of this.

Receivers don’t need to be tall to be productive, and the Saints’ receivers have proven this their entire careers. When healthy, Olave, Shaheed, and Cooks have all been elite in what they specialize in. Olave’s IQ and nimble footwork make him one of the premier route-runners in the league. Shaheed’s speed makes him one of the NFL’s most prolific deep threats. And Cooks’ combination of speed and route-running makes him the perfect cross between Olave and Shaheed.

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JUWAN JOHNSON’S ROLE

As long as receivers can create separation, who needs height, right?

But speed and route-running can’t solve every problem. What about those situations where height is essential to a play’s success? Maybe the Saints are in the red zone on a crucial 3rd and goal and need a touchdown. Who will be the go-to? Enter Juwan Johnson.

At 6-foot-4, Johnson will be the first option in many circumstances for new head coach Kellen Moore. In moments where short, quick yardage is needed, quarterbacks usually want to look for a big, physical, possession receiver who they can rely on to get those yards; since the Saints lack that, Johnson is going to have to fill that role.

Many people forget that Johnson was a wide receiver in college. At Oregon, he also played alongside new Saints QB Tyler Shough, who is projected to be the week one starter.

Johnson has the speed and agility of a wide receiver from his experience in college, but the height and bulkiness of a tight end from his time with the Saints. His history and connection with Shough also place him in a prime position to succeed.

WHY JOHNSON’S CONTRACT MAKES SENSE

Since Johnson has the height that the Saints need, and has all the tools to be a wide receiver, the Saints will ask him to step up in his sixth year with the team. In an interview, Kellen Moore spoke very highly of Johnson after practice this week. Just last week, Johnson was seen running routes with the receivers at OTA’s. He was the only TE doing so.

More than likely, the Saints will use him as a WR/TE hybrid in 2025.

This is why the amount the Saints paid him makes sense.

Rather than being just another tight end, the Saints are going to task Johnson with making bigger plays more often. Even with the small chances he has been given thus far, he has proven that he can be impactful in many ways. He also provides critical blocking in the run game as a tight end. Because of his proven abilities, and since he is being asked to be more versatile, this is why we can speculate the Saints paid him more than what some view to be what he’s worth.

We won’t be seeing the Juwan Johnson we’re used to in 2025. We will be seeing a shining version of him that we have not seen before. Juwan Johnson’s 2025 season will be one where the Saints finally trust him to show up in big moments and give him more volume than ever before.