The 2025 NFL Draft promises one of the most exciting classes of receiver prospects. But Oregon Ducks’ Tez Johnson seems just mere excitement. The receiver made big claims about his 40-yard dash speed before the NFL Combine but only managed a historically bad performance in Indianapolis.
Tez Johnson’s Historically Bad Performance At the NFL Combine
Johnson, at 154 pounds, was the lightest player at the NFL Combine. He is even lighter than Tank Dell, DeVonta Smith, Xavier Worthy, and Tyler Lockett.
Oregon WR Tez Johnson weighs 154 pounds at the NFL Combine…
For context:
– Tank Dell weighs 165 pounds
– DeVonta Smith weighs 170 pounds
– Xavier Worthy weighs 172 pounds
– Tyler Lockett weighs 182 poundsEven Deuce Vaughn weighs 176 pounds… pic.twitter.com/8t6GmrqCoN
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 1, 2025
Before the start of the 40-yard dash on Saturday, Johnson boldly claimed that his speed was unmatched.
“If you blink, you might miss me,” said Johnson.
However, his tall claims came crashing down when he only managed a 4.55-second run. It was the slowest time by a receiver weighing under 170 lbs since 2003, and one of the Draft experts termed him a “UDFA” (undrafted free agent) grade.
“Tez Johnson is not a top speed player but he NEEDS to improve a 4.55. That time while weighing 154 lbs is honestly a UDFA grade,” Anthony Russo wrote.
Johnson, whose official height is 5-9 1/8, also had a horrible athletic score of unofficial 5.10 out of 10. One of the experts claimed it ranked Johnson 1672nd out of 3408 wide receivers from 1987 to 2025.
Tez Johnson had a slower 40 time AND 10 split than Jayden Higgins, who is over 6 inches taller and SIXTY POUNDS heavier.
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) March 1, 2025
While social media predicted the Oregon Ducks receiver’s draft stock plummeting, some people claimed that 4.55s wasn’t a true measure of his speed, arguing that he was faster during the games.
“Tez Johnson’s play speed is better than today’s 4.51. I saw him play once in person this season. Nobody caught him,” a user wrote.
Tez Johnson's play speed is better than today's 4.51.
I saw him play once in person this season. Nobody caught him.pic.twitter.com/ZtamTyv8i4
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 1, 2025
Johnson was also asked about his low weight on Saturday but oozed confidence in return, saying:
“You’re gonna win a Super Bowl with me, 100 percent.”
PFSN’s Draft Projection For Johnson
In PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft by Jacob Infante, Johnson is projected to be picked by the Baltimore Ravens late in the third round. Here’s what Infante writes about him:
“Tez Johnson is an undersized weapon, but one who feasts out of the slot with his speed, agility, and spatial awareness against zone coverage. He would be a nice weapon to add to Lamar Jackson’s arsenal.”
It’s worth noting that the given mock draft was prepared before the NFL Combine and Johnson could slip further below. Here’s what Infante writes about Johnson in his scouting report:
“Johnson is a productive slot receiver whose tape generates looks due to his twitchy style of play and high route-running IQ.
“He understands how to work himself open, using a variety of releases and adjusting his stems to best attack each coverage he faces. He’s crisp coming out of his cuts and has the agility to make defenders miss after the catch. Though he thrives in shorter routes, he has the speed to take the top off the defense, too.
“Given his smaller stature and lack of ideal physicality, there’s always going to be a cap on how high Johnson’s ceiling is at the next level. He struggles against press coverage and, while he can win on the perimeter if he has enough space, has limitations that can only take him so far against bigger and stronger cornerbacks.
“Johnson feels like a potential starting slot receiver at the next level. He probably won’t ever be a true WR1 for an NFL team, but he could certainly be a reliable third or even second option for someone’s passing attack. His experience as a return man on special teams gives him some additional value, too.”
Johnson finished as the Ducks’ leading receiver in 2024 and was a second-team All-Big-Ten nominee with 83 catches, 898 yards, and 10 touchdowns, all of which were team highs. He also ran a punt back for a touchdown on one of his 13 returns.