Cornelius Johnson 2024 NFL Draft Profile
The 2024 NFL Draft is stacked with wide receiver talent. Where does Michigan pass catcher Cornelius Johnson sit among the bunch? Let’s discuss his 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Johnson was a consensus four-star recruit from Brunswick High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. In college, he spent five seasons with the Wolverines. Michigan’s run-heavy offense did not provide him with a bunch of opportunities. Still, he made an impact as he logged 138 catches for 2,038 yards and 14 touchdowns. The majority of that production came in his final three seasons.
The 2024 NFL Combine helped boost Johnson’s draft stock. Despite not having an elite showing in the drills, his measurables and testing numbers were promising. Johnson is six-foot-three and 212 pounds. In the 40-yard dash, he ran a 4.44. That is a strong size and speed combination for a late-round selection.
Johnson’s best skill is his ability to make contested catches on the sideline. On out-breaking routes, he has a knack for keeping his feet in bounds and finding a way to make a catch. If the quarterback misses wide, he can bail them out with a ridiculous catch.
That contested catch ability can also be seen in the middle of the field and on deep balls. On his college tape, it is less common, but that is because those routes made up a smaller portion of his total opportunities.
Johnson makes a living in the short and intermediate game, but he does hold upside as a deep threat. That is mostly because he sells double moves well. After spending a significant portion of the game running short routes, he can sell a move and get open deep down the field. Once he is open, he tracks the ball well and makes the catch. It is unlikely that he consistently makes big plays in the NFL, but he could make a few splash plays.
The final positives for Johnson are his run-blocking and special teams play. At Michigan, receivers are required to block in the run game. Plus, Johnson played special teams and blocked several punts. Those smaller traits could help Johnson make a roster and work his way onto the field.
The biggest flaw for Johnson is that he is not a great route runner. At this point in his career, his routes are not complex and he does not create much separation. Thankfully, his ability to make contested catches helps reduce that concern.
Similarly, Johnson does not consistently produce yards after the catch. That is partially because he does not create much separation. It is harder to produce after the catch when routes fail to create separation. If he is wide open, he can catch the ball in stride and gain yards. It is just not as common.
It should be noted that Michigan has a unique track record with receivers. In the Jim Harbaugh era, the run-heavy offense and limited route tree makes it harder to project the position. In the past, Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones outperformed their draft selections. On the other hand, Ronnie Bell has yet to make much of an impact.
Johnson projects as a depth piece. At his peak, he is a number three receiver, but a fourth or fifth option is much more realistic. If he is forced into action, he will likely limit mistakes and help in the short to intermediate passing game. The ability to run block and play special teams will be beneficial if he plays a limited role at the bottom of the depth chart. All things considered, Johnson is a day-three selection with the sixth round being fair value. If big-body possession receivers fly off the board, he could warrant a fifth-round pick depending on the team and situation.
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