ROUND 7 PICK 216 (f/TEN via SF) - WR CHARLES JOHNSON (GRAND VALLEY STATE)

quote:
Former Grand Valley State University wide receiver Charles Johnson is just one of those athletes hoping to hear his name this weekend.

“I don’t know exactly where I can land with what team,” he said. “I heard I can go in the third round. That’s where we’re really shooting for me and my agent. They say I’m a mid-rounder, so like third to the fifth round.”

Johnson is coming off of two strong seasons as a Laker. In 2011 he caught 56 passes for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. This past season, he recorded 72 receptions for 1,199 yards and hauled in 16 touchdowns.

However, Johnson has seen his stock rise after an impressive showing at the GVSU Pro Day.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, recorded a 39 ½-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-1 broad jump.

Johnson’s 40-time would be tied for fourth among receivers who attended the NFL Scouting Combine. His vertical would have tied the best among receivers Marcus Davis of Virginia Tech, Justin Hunter of Tennessee, and Da’Rick Rogers of Tennessee Tech, and Johnson’s broad jump would have placed him second among receivers at the combine, behind Hunter of Tennessee.

http://www.lanthorn.com/articl...nticipates-nfl-draft

I like that they went for guys that are boom or bust with great measurables. I think one of the worst things for an offense is an average WR taking up a roster spot. Everything about the position is creating some sort of separation be it speed, athleticism, or size. There's little reason to keep a guy around if he doesn't have a chance to develop into something special and the Packers do a great job of cycling the bottom of the WR depth chart in search of a difference maker instead of holding on to any of the guys who were just decent for the sake of continuity (and there's been a bunch of them).

I think TT feels he already has the decent depth guys on the squad but if one of the young ones looks special they make the 53. A guy with 4.3 speed is a challenge to keep on the practice squad.

There's also a chance James Jones comes back down to earth a little bit this year. A fantastic season is a very difficult thing to replicate and he made some unbelievable catches last year. If he plays anything like last year again he'll have earned an opportunity to sign a favorable contract for himself.

If the Packers like the way Jones looks in camp I think they'd target him for one of those training camp extension deals they like to do where they can buy in early at a reduced rate. It's pretty strategic to reward a guy like him during training camp, too. Reinforces the message that performers get taken care of at a time when players are grinding the hardest to make the team.