Juwan Johnson + Kellen Moore: Why 77-889-3 Wasn't a Random Breakout

Juwan Johnson might be my favorite example of the fantasy market ignoring something that already happened.

We're constantly searching for late-round tight ends who could earn targets.

Juwan already did.

In Kellen Moore's first season running the Saints offense, Johnson finished with:

77 receptions

889 receiving yards

3 touchdowns

And ESPN currently has him at:

160 overall

TE20

That's basically the last pick of a normal 10-team draft.

The 2025 Season Was Legitimately Good

Johnson didn't just set career highs.

He finished:

3rd among NFL tight ends in receiving yards

and:

5th among NFL tight ends in receptions

That's significant.

He also played all 17 games.

The Saints used him as a frequent middle-of-the-field option, and his route running allowed him to find space against linebackers and safeties.

That's a fantasy role.

Compare It to His Previous Seasons

Before Kellen Moore:

2024:

50 catches, 548 yards, 3 TDs

2023:

37 catches, 368 yards, 4 TDs

Then Moore arrived:

77 catches, 889 yards, 3 TDs

That's a massive increase in receiving volume.

When the coaching change directly lines up with the player's largest receiving season, I pay attention.

Same Coach Again

This is what makes 2026 appealing.

Kellen Moore is still the head coach and play caller.

We don't have to wonder whether a new staff likes Juwan.

The staff already showed us.

The Saints themselves describe Johnson as a key piece of the passing game entering Moore's second season.

The Touchdown Number Could Have Been Better

This is another reason I like the profile.

Johnson caught only three touchdowns despite 77 receptions and 889 yards.

I'm not saying touchdowns automatically regress upward.

But I'm also not looking at a player whose fantasy season was inflated by eight touchdowns on 35 catches.

His value came from actual receiving production.

That's much more repeatable.

Chris Olave Is Still the No. 1

I don't want to overstate Juwan's role.

Chris Olave is still the centerpiece of the passing game.

Olave went for 100 catches, 1,163 yards and nine TDs last season.

Juwan doesn't need to beat Olave.

He just needs to remain one of Tyler Shough's most trusted secondary targets.

Jordyn Tyson's Injury Matters

The Saints spent the No. 8 overall pick on Jordyn Tyson.

But Tyson suffered a hamstring injury this preseason and could miss up to roughly two months.

That could mean missing around the first five games.

I'm not drafting Juwan solely because Tyson got hurt.

Juwan was already on my list.

The injury simply creates one less early-season target competitor.

For a player being drafted at TE20, that matters.

Why Juwan Fits a Late-TE Strategy

I don't want a late TE who needs six things to happen.

Juwan's case is much simpler.

We need:

• Kellen Moore to keep using him • Juwan to maintain a major route role • Shough to play competent quarterback

That's it.

The role already exists.

The Risk

The Saints offense isn't guaranteed to be elite.

Touchdowns could remain inconsistent.

Tyson will eventually return.

Olave will command a lot of volume.

And Johnson is 29, so we're not drafting some 22-year-old athletic breakout.

But again:

TE20.

The price already accounts for a lot of those concerns.

Where I Would Draft Juwan Johnson

ESPN: 160 overall, TE20

I'm willing to take him:

Round 13 or Round 14 if I waited at TE.

Yes, that's a little ahead of ESPN.

I don't care.

In Round 15 I'm taking kicker.

Round 16 is defense.

So if I need TE, I want to secure Juwan before my skill-position selections are finished.

I would rather draft the tight end who just went 77-889-3 in the same offense than chase a random name because the fantasy community calls him a sleeper.

Juwan already showed us the breakout.

The market just isn't charging us for it.