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Olabisi Johnson was a big-time steal for the Minnesota Vikings

By Sayre Bedinger

FORT COLLINS, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Olabisi Johnson #81 of the Colorado State Rams goes up for a catch in the end zone for a touchdown against the Northern Colorado Bears at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
FORT COLLINS, CO - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Olabisi Johnson #81 of the Colorado State Rams goes up for a catch in the end zone for a touchdown against the Northern Colorado Bears at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Vikings’ WR depth could be tested and if it is, former Colorado State star Olabisi Johnson should be up to the task.

Everyone knows about what I believe to be the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings’ pairing of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

But what do the Vikings have beyond those two guys?

Laquon Treadwell has not worked out the way they thought he could as a former first-round draft pick. In fact, Treadwell is likely in his final year with the Vikings after three underwhelming seasons with 56 catches and just one touchdown.

His game is not necessarily suited to be a true no. 3 in today’s NFL, but that is not the case for Olabisi Johnson, one of the Vikings’ two seventh-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Johnson played second-fiddle to former top recruit Preston Williams, a player on his second chance this past season at Colorado State after things didn’t work out for him at Tennessee.

Johnson may have been the no. 2 receiver for Colorado State, but he might have the more translatable game to the professional level as it relates to making an instant impact.

At 6-feet, 204 pounds, Johnson ran a solid 4.51 at the 2019 Scouting Combine and had a 38-inch vertical jump, showing off his excellent speed and explosiveness which translates to his game on the field.

Johnson can play inside in the slot or matchup outside and use his solid route running ability and quickness to beat defensive backs both in press and off coverage.

There are reasons he was a seventh-round pick, of course. Does he have the elite route speed, explosion, and quickness other guys at this position have that set them apart as day one or day two picks? Probably not, but this guy is a smart player who is going to find his niche in the NFL and make a consistent impact.

Next. 2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams. dark

The Vikings have to be prepared in the event one of their top to receivers does end up needing a break or getting hurt, and while Olabisi Johnson is not going to eat up targets his rookie season, but I think he can be a nice secondary weapon when the Vikings need to give their two stars a breather.

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