Seriously, what in the football world is PFF thinking? Pro Football Focus just dropped their top 32 tight end rankings for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, and somehow, despite an absolutely monster 2025, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson landed at a baffling No. 18. You gotta be kidding me, right? When you look at the stats, this ranking makes zero sense for a guy who just had a career year and proved he is a legitimate weapon.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
We aren’t talking about some flashes here. Johnson finished the 2025 season not just good, but *elite* among NFL tight ends. He was in the top five across the league for both receptions and receiving yards. Let’s break that down even further, because the specific numbers are wild. Johnson snagged 889 receiving yards, putting him third in the entire NFL. He also pulled in 14 contested catches, which was also third in the league, showing he can go up and get it when it matters most. Plus, he forced 12 missed tackles, slotting him fifth in that category. These aren’t just solid stats, they are premier, game-changing numbers. What more does a guy have to do to earn some respect?
The Hybrid Weapon Debate and Head-Scratching Rankings
So, what’s PFF’s hang-up? Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick from PFF called Johnson more of a “big slot” receiver or a “hybrid weapon” than a traditional tight end. At 231 pounds, they say he “blurs the line between a wide receiver and a tight end.” Okay, sure, he is versatile. But is versatility a reason to *underrank* someone when they are producing at an incredibly high level? It feels like they are penalizing him for being too good at too many things. And here’s the kicker: players like Brenton Strange of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Colby Parkinson of the Los Angeles Rams are ranked *ahead* of Johnson. The same Brenton Strange and Colby Parkinson who, according to the source, trailed Johnson “by a comfortable margin in most key receiving metrics.” That’s just wild. While team success might play a part in these rankings, individual production like Johnson’s should absolutely carry more weight.
If Johnson wants to force his way into that “upper tier” of tight ends, he will have to prove 2025 wasn’t a fluke. Another season in the neighborhood of 55 to 70 receptions and 600 to 800 receiving yards would do wonders. But the biggest area for him to really cement his status is in the red zone. With his size and physicality, he has all the tools to become a consistent scoring threat. If he can convert those opportunities into more touchdowns, while maintaining his insane production in the middle of the field, there’s no way PFF can keep him out of the top rankings next year. It’s on him to make them eat their words.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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