Lance Zierlein 2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

And Zierlein's own report on the player.

Overview
Height-weight-speed prospect with the physical traits and upside that might have teams willing to overlook some of his inconsistencies on tape. Johnston is a long-striding vertical threat who can open up and separate when allowed to keep his feet moving in space. His elevation and catch radius create an expansive target area down the field, but his overall success rate on contested catches is way lower than it should be for a receiver of his size. Johnston needs a specific route tree, but will improve in that area at the next level. He will benefit from a more accurate deep-ball quarterback, but still feels more like a good WR2 than a high-volume WR1.


Sources Tell Us
“He’s got some freak (athleticism) in him and will test great, but the hands are a concern for me.” -- Area scout for NFC team

-

I'm not taking a WR in the 1st round who has a good #2 ceiling. Yeah, that's a starter but I want more upside with a 1st round pick.
 
He's a much better player but he reminds me of Terrance Williams with the body catching. That athleticism doesn't always show and his effort is not consistent at all.

I'm gagging as I'm typing this, but @Risen Star is dead on. No thanks to a WR in the first who can't develop into a #1 WR.
 
KingintheNorth said:
He's a much better player but he reminds me of Terrance Williams with the body catching. That athleticism doesn't always show and his effort is not consistent at all.

I'm gagging as I'm typing this, but @Risen Star is dead on. No thanks to a WR in the first who can't develop into a #1 WR.
Click to expand...
You're learning from me.
 
his catch radius is basically his body,i am thinking Zierlin only watched his highlights.
 
Everyone seems to have the same opinion of him. Freak without the Moss.

Damn sure letting someone else take that risk unless he falls a looooonnnnngggggg way.
 
I’m a little hot / cold him. Love the size, length and traits just wish you’d see him attack the football a bit more.

I’d much rather him at 26 than reach for a lower value position.
 
I'm a Johnston fan, but his speed is starting to worry me. He didn't run at the Combine, and posted 4.50 and 4.49 Pro Day 40s. The latter times are usually goosed, sometimes by as much as a tenth.

Mid 4.5s would be a good time at his size, even high 4.5s might be workable. But Marcus Mosher explained it perfectly on Twitter. Johnston's evaluation is founded on being a stud athlete, so he really needs to test like a stud athlete. A big, body-catching average athlete sounds a lot like Terrance Williams.
 
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beware_d-ware said:
I'm a Johnston fan, but his speed is starting to worry me. He didn't run at the Combine, and posted 4.50 and 4.49 Pro Day 40s. The latter times are usually goosed, sometimes by as much as a tenth.

Mid 4.5s would be a good time at his size, even high 4.5s might be workable. But Marcus Mosher explained it perfectly on Twitter. Johnston's evaluation is founded on being a stud athlete, so he really needs to test like a stud athlete. A big, body-catching average athlete sounds a lot like Terrance Williams.
Click to expand...
He can't catch if a defender as much as touches him with a pinky finger.

He is very quick for a big WR but not worth a 1st.
 
I’m not a big fan of Johnston. He seems more like a second round pick to me, than a first round pick. He has some negatives that historically have really concerned me… starting with hands/ball skills.
 
Has TCU put out a WR that has ever been really good in the Pros?

Not a fan of Johnston's work.
 
beware_d-ware said:
I'm a Johnston fan, but his speed is starting to worry me. He didn't run at the Combine, and posted 4.50 and 4.49 Pro Day 40s. The latter times are usually goosed, sometimes by as much as a tenth.

Mid 4.5s would be a good time at his size, even high 4.5s might be workable. But Marcus Mosher explained it perfectly on Twitter. Johnston's evaluation is founded on being a stud athlete, so he really needs to test like a stud athlete. A big, body-catching average athlete sounds a lot like Terrance Williams.
Click to expand...
Was expecting a little more, but, with GPS tech he hit 21 MPH last year against MICH which is flying.

For perspective, Christian Watson and Jaylen Waddle’a fastest time in 22 was 21.7 mph and those guys were 4.3 guys.

I agree Is love to see him attack the ball more, bc he does some, but his tape is still pretty fun and he’s WAY more athletic than Williams on tape.
 
cnuball21 said:
Was expecting a little more, but, with GPS tech he hit 21 MPH last year against MICH which is flying.

For perspective, Christian Watson and Jaylen Waddle’a fastest time in 22 was 21.7 mph and those guys were 4.3 guys.

I agree Is love to see him attack the ball more, bc he does some, but his tape is still pretty fun and he’s WAY more athletic than Williams on tape.
Click to expand...
Would you take Watson at 26 in this draft? Maybe the TCU kid could be at Watson type of player.
 
baltcowboy said:
Would you take Watson at 26 in this draft? Maybe the TCU kid could be at Watson type of player.
Click to expand...
Probably so depending on who else is available…

I get the concerns with Johnston but he still has loud traits and produced.
 
Risen Star said:
And Zierlein's own report on the player.

Overview
Height-weight-speed prospect with the physical traits and upside that might have teams willing to overlook some of his inconsistencies on tape. Johnston is a long-striding vertical threat who can open up and separate when allowed to keep his feet moving in space. His elevation and catch radius create an expansive target area down the field, but his overall success rate on contested catches is way lower than it should be for a receiver of his size. Johnston needs a specific route tree, but will improve in that area at the next level. He will benefit from a more accurate deep-ball quarterback, but still feels more like a good WR2 than a high-volume WR1.


Sources Tell Us
“He’s got some freak (athleticism) in him and will test great, but the hands are a concern for me.” -- Area scout for NFC team

-

I'm not taking a WR in the 1st round who has a good #2 ceiling. Yeah, that's a starter but I want more upside with a 1st round pick.
Click to expand...
Physical cbs are going to punk this kid. He's soft, which is weird cause he's yoked for a wr
 
cnuball21 said:
Was expecting a little more, but, with GPS tech he hit 21 MPH last year against MICH which is flying.

For perspective, Christian Watson and Jaylen Waddle’a fastest time in 22 was 21.7 mph and those guys were 4.3 guys.

I agree Is love to see him attack the ball more, bc he does some, but his tape is still pretty fun and he’s WAY more athletic than Williams on tape.
Click to expand...
Know what Hyatt ran on the field?
 
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