LA Chargers Week 15 Overreactions: Tyron Johnson a #2 Receiver?
By Tyler Gallagher
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders with another game-winning drive from Justin Herbert.
The Los Angeles Chargers got their second win in a row against the Las Vegas Raiders, 30-27. Without further ado, there are the overreactions from Week 15.
Overreaction #1: Tyron Johnson is a legitimate option as a number two receiver for 2021
Early in Tyron Johnson’s Chargers career, he was solely a speedy deep threat and special teams presence.
In the past two weeks, however, Tyron Johnson has been emerging as a more well-rounded weapon for the offense capable of much more than just go routes.
Against the Atlanta Falcons, Johnson managed to come in at second for receivers in receptions with six receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. That included one clutch catch at the end of the game to set the team up in field goal range.
Against the Raiders that trend continued……..
With additional opportunities, Johnson has demonstrated his value. Is that value high enough to consider him to be a legitimate future option as the team’s second receiver?
At this point, the simple answer is no.
We all know that Tyron Johnson has one elite skill; it takes more than that to be a good option as a second receiver in the NFL.
In the past two weeks, Johnson has shown some hints that he has the route-running ability and catching radius to become such a receiver.
However, the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders have two of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Johnson’s route-running has looked good, but it has seemed fairly reliant on his speed as well as perfectly placed throws from Justin Herbert.
Against better defenses, that may not hold up.
There is certainly a lot of ability there, but it is far too early to consider Johnson to be a legitimate candidate for the role of number two receiver.
Certainly, Johnson has produced more than the Chargers’ usual number two receiver in recent weeks, but that should not be the standard for the Chargers’ number two receiver in future years.
Verdict #1: Overreaction