Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have Plan For 'Swiss Army Knife' Receiver Tez Johnson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted former Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson with the No. 235 overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay Assistant General Manager Rob McCartney reveals he has a plan for Johnson, who he spoke with in a formal interview at the NFL Combine. Johnson "lit up the room" in his interview and the Bucs are excited about the speedy receiver and special teams contributor.

McCartney said that Johnson will compete as a returner immediately with second-year player Kameron Johnson.

Oregon Ducks receiver Tez Johnson Not Surprised Ohio State is Haunted by Loss | bri amaranthus

"There's not a lot of guys that have cracked it under 160 (pounds), but you've got Tutu Atwell, you've got a guy like Tank Dell," McCartney said after drafting Johnson with Tampa Bay's final pick of the draft. "He doesn't play 4.5 (Johnson's 40-yard dash time at the combine.) He plays a lot faster. There's a lot of instances when he's the fastest player on the field. There's multiple games that I thought he was the best player on the field too."

The Bucs also spoke with Johnson's former Oregon teammate and current Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving, who gave a glowing review of the 5-foot-9,154-pound receiver.

"His roommate two years ago, Bucky, he will vouch for that guy every day. He's one of his best friends. Plays the game the same kind of way, so that really excited us," McCartney continued. "Got a chance to spend time with him at the combine. He was one of our formal interviews and he just lights up a room. So I think he'll be a great impact in the locker room and then on the field with his ability with the ball in his hands."

Johnson was Oregon's leading receiver for the past two seasons and holds the program record for most receptions in a single season (86).

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"I can't wait to get there and get – especially being in the same room with me and (Jalen McMillan). And being there with Bucky, because we are the energizer buddies... We wake up in the morning, we on it. We're always going to have a smile on our face, and let's go to work," Johnson said after being drafted to Tampa Bay.

"I can't wait to get there in Tampa," Johnson continued. "I can tell you right now, any team I was going to get drafted to, that punt return is mine. It's something I take pride in. I would not want to be the receiver that just plays receiver. I want to play both, receiver and punt returner. That's my goal in the league, be a dynamic punt returner and then add some pieces to the offense and be able to, work as a receiver too, like being a Swiss Army Knife."

Johnson is an excellent fit for Tampa Bay, catching passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Johnson excels at creating after the catch. In 2024, he gained 604 yards after the catch, which ranked third most among qualifying receivers. His burst and shiftiness is exemplified by his impressive 6.65-second 3-cone drill at the combine.

Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon wideout Tez Johnson (WO24) speaks during a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images | Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images

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Johnson's draft stock took a polarizing turn at the NFL Combine, when he weighed in as the lightest prospect and ran a 4.51-second 40, finishing 29th among receivers who competed.

"That's my time, I'm going to own up to it," Johnson said after Oregon Ducks Pro Day. "You can watch my tape and see no one can catch me. The 40 don't define you as a football player. It just shows that you can run a fast time."

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson celebrates with Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden as Holden runs for a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the Boise State Broncos Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

As mentioned by McCartney, NFL analysts have compared Johnson to Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell, who will be entering his third NFL season in 2025 and is listed at 5-10, 165 pounds. One of the most exciting rookies in 2023, Dell finished with 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games.

Tampa Bay is getting a very productive receiver and positive locker room presence in Johnson.

Johnson's best game of the 2024 college football season came in Oregon's win over Penn State to claim the Big Ten Championship. Johnson caught 11 passes for a career-high 181 yards and a touchdown en route to being named the game's MVP in the 45-37 win.

Johnson finished the 2024 season with 898 receiving yards, 83 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Despite missing nearly three full games due to injury, Johnson has was three receptions shy of breaking the Oregon single-season receptions record of 86... Which Johnson set in 2023.

After transferring from Troy, Johnson's 2023 season was a break out season catching passes from adopted brother Bo Nix. Johnson made histore by breaking the Oregon single-season record for receptions with 86 while racking up 1,182 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.