GETTY Broad receiver KeeSean Johnson #19 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception towards security Marcell Harris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers throughout the NFL recreation at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020.
It could be NFC Championship week, however that isn’t stopping the San Francisco 49ers from making roster strikes.
In spite of everything, the second one season ends, one other begins. However it’s considerably uncommon for groups to get future contracts completed in moments like this, with only a few days earlier than the 49ers tackle the Los Angeles Rams for a visit to the Tremendous Bowl.
Per NBC Sports activities Matt Maiocco, the 49ers are signing former Arizona Cardinals broad receiver KeeSean Johnson to a futures contract for the 2022 offseason.
“The 49ers signed WR KeeSean Johnson to a reserve/future contract for the 2022 offseason,” Maiocco tweeted. “He appeared in 18 video games in 2019 and ’20 with the Cardinals, catching 36 passes for 360 yards and one TD.”
These preliminary numbers don’t give the impression of a blockbuster signing, and Johnson isn’t one by any means. However Johnson has youth and a few encouraging traits to look into.
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Breaking Down Johnson
Popping out of Fresno State, Johnson was drafted by the Cardinals within the sixth spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 6-1 receiver put up a variety of quantity in 4 years with the Bulldogs, bringing in 3463 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns in his four-year profession at Fresno State, per SR CFB.
Johnson really has some beginning expertise, getting the nod 5 instances in his two seasons with Arizona. Nevertheless, he didn’t play within the common season in 2021. After being reduce by the Cardinals earlier than the common season, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles the place he remained on the practice squad during the playoffs.
As Maiocco talked about, the 25-year-old receiver introduced down 360 yards on 36 catches in 18 appearances, however PFR additionally reveals that he has a 55.4 p.c catch fee and had 4 drops in his 65 targets.
Johnson noticed each brief and lengthy targets in Arizona, which brings up his high quality route-running. When popping out of faculty, the Draft Network credited his routes as his best talent.
“Easy and technically refined,” Draft Community stated. “Fluid out and in of breaks and he’s a terrific route salesman. The priority is can he separate on the subsequent degree given his lack of burst. Love his route tempo, timing and the way he assaults leverage to get open.”
He doesn’t have immense velocity, however he’s acquired the technical capability required to play on the NFL degree.
49ers Receiver Group in 2022
Why would possibly the 49ers be signing names in the course of convention championship week? Properly, as Spotrac reveals, the workforce presently has two receivers assured to be on its roster for 2022: Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
These are definitely the 2 guys of the current group you’d need probably the most, however the 49ers nonetheless want depth, and Johnson will carry that for an inexpensive futures contract. If he excels, the 49ers can have an awesome depth possibility, if he doesn’t, they didn’t wager a lot on him.
It’s price noting that WR Jauan Jennings is ready to be an unique rights free agent, which implies the 49ers can have the right-away on his 2022 standing. Nonetheless, it’s fairly clear that strikes like Johnson’s is smart till the 49ers make extra notable strikes within the draft or free company.
Source: Heavy
