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Chiefs UDFA: WR Taurus Johnson

Wide receiver Taurus Johnson #89 of the University of South Florida Bulls grabs a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against the Kansas University Jayhawks at Raymond James Stadium on September 12, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images North America)

Wide receiver Taurus Johnson #89 of the University of South Florida Bulls grabs a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against the Kansas University Jayhawks at Raymond James Stadium on September 12, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images North America)

Of the dozen or so undrafted free agents we suspect the Kansas City Chiefs have/will sign, University of South Florida wide reciever Taurus Johnson is probably the most talented of the group.

Coming out of high school in 2005, Johnson was the 35th ranked wide receiver by Rivals and the 45th best prospect coming out of the state of Florida, which is saying quite a bit given the Sunshine State's football pedigree.

Over four seasons a USF Bull, started thirteen games mainly as a #2 receiver to current Chicago Bears WR/KR Deven Hester's cousin, Jessie Hester Jr. Interestingly enough, Hester was not drafted or signed yet by any NFL team.

Johnson's receiving number's weren't very impressive but that's to be expected of an undrafted college free agent.

Year
GP-GS
REC
YDS AVG TD LONG YDS/G
2005 12-0 3 35 11.7 0 20 2.9
2006
13-2 37 494 13.4 2 79 38
2007
11-5 34 407 12.0 4 34 37
2008 13-6 38 498 13.1 6 42 38.3
Career 49-13 112 1,434 12.8 12 121 29.3

To put Johnson's stats in perspective of the USF football program, he ranks second all-time in touchdowns and third all-time in both receiving yards and receptions.

Now you didn't think that Scott Pioli and Todd Haley would bring in just a straight up UDFA wide receiver and have him compete? No no. As we're prone to saying around here, versatility is key. Johnson also returned kicks for USF and while he didn't blow away the competition, that added dimension is something that the new Chiefs' enjoy very much.

Check out his kick return stats:

Year
NO
YDS TD LONG AVG AVG/G
2005 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
2006 14 316 0 42 22.6 24.3
2007 13 236 0 33 18.2 21.5
2008 12 232 0 40 19.3 17.8
Career 39 784 0 42 20.1 16.0

Many draft anaylsis of Johnson have him pegged as a #3 WR, special teams contributor or combination of both in the NFL.

Here's what NFL Draft Scout had to say about Johnson before the draft:

Positives: Good height and build for the position. Adequate deep speed. Adequate feet to gain separation. Secure hands for the reception. Generally catches the ball with his hands, but is a cognitive player who knows when he's going to absorb a big hit and will body-catch to protect the ball. Good balance and body control to make the tough reception. A tendency to make the big reception in critical situations. Good agility to make defenders miss in space. Has experience as a returner (20.1-yard kick return average from 2006-2008).

Negatives: Lacks the straight-line speed to challenge deep and with only adequate burst out of his breaks; will struggle to generate separation against NFL caliber cornerbacks. Exposed in this area a bit during practices at the East-West Shrine Game. Slowed with an ankle injury the last half of 2007.

It's clear after looking at scouting reports on Johnson that one thing held him back from being drafted - his speed. The guy ran a 4.4 second 40-yard dash but nearly every report on him I'm reading echoes what NFL Draft Scout said above - he doesn't have great game speed and has trouble separating from defenders.

If you can't do that in college, you sure as heck can't do that in the NFL.

I don't expect Taurus Johnson to threaten the Kansas City Chiefs' current wide receivers for a #3 or even a #4 spot. The Chiefs currently have nine wide receivers on the roster and 2009 6th round pick Quinten Lawrence also has the kick return dimension to his game.

Here's the big thing Johnson has going for him that is at least a somewhat unique skill - he can make defenders miss in the open field pretty darn well. Check out the video below for evidence.

As much as I'd love to read the PARADE make Ford Taurus jokes for the rest of the season, Taurus Johnson has one of the longest shots of any of the team's UDFAs to make the Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster.

0 recs  |  Comment 26 comments |

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Looks like a solid player to me.

Looks very strong for a reciever and he’s got that little stutter step move to make people miss. Don’t underestimate Taurus the bull Johnson.

by rustdog on May 7, 2009 7:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He is a solid player

A jack of many trades, master of none. That won’t cut it in the NFL.

by Chris Thorman on May 7, 2009 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it just me

or does his running style remind anyone of Anquan Boldin? After watching the highlight clip, it’s very obvious he runs like a RB playing WR. He’s powerful, shifty and does not shy away from contact. I like him and I’ll bet Coach Haley really likes him too.

by NJ_Chief on May 7, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Size comparison

Boldin: 6’1" 217 lbs.

Johnson: 6’ 206 lbs.
He can easily bulk up another 10+ lbs.

by NJ_Chief on May 7, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Taurus Johnson

They need to try this guy out at RB!

by OKLACHIEF on May 7, 2009 7:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's what I was thinking.

He has somewhat short legs for a WR and short strides. If he could bulk up he could be a good RB option.

I think he’ll challenge in the return game, especially as a punt returner with his quick moves and ability to make people miss. The KR job will probably end up going to Quinten Lawrence. He also looks like a good slot receiver option with his quick breaks in the routes, especially since he lacks pure straight line speed. I’ve been high on the guy for a while, I hope he makes the team. I don’t think that there are any incumbents at WR positions except for Bowe, so I think he can compete.

by DCJayhawk57 on May 7, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Compete and learn from Engram

Isn’t Engram considered slow? I think Pioli & Co. are going to try to mold an Engram-type slot WR out of Johnson.

by Chiefs4Life on May 7, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think speed is overrated in a receiver

And the main knock on Johnson is his lack of speed. I certainly saw adequate quickness (lateral movement and reaction time, to me) in his highlight video.

I think the coaches definitely saw some good things in Johnson and Haley certainly has a good track record with WRs.

by DCJayhawk57 on May 7, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who besides LF and Anquan? Just curious.
Haley certainly has a good track record with WRs.

I'm currently reading "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and it feels like we got ourselves a McMurphy on our hands....wheelin' and dealin'

by Chiefs_swagger on May 7, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

tons

and tons and tons of talented WR’s

Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.

by 808NaNz808 on May 7, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He plays strong

I’ve seen him play in person. He could possible develop into a serviceable wide receiver. How’s that for a ringing endorsement?

by NCChiefs on May 7, 2009 9:04 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope he makes the cut

I’d rather see him than Webb or Darling anyday

by stagdsp on May 7, 2009 9:45 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

5:54 mark of video

WOW!

I'm currently reading "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and it feels like we got ourselves a McMurphy on our hands....wheelin' and dealin'

by Chiefs_swagger on May 7, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

His deep speed

isn’t that big a problem. Running a 4.4 in workouts shows he has the physical ability to challenge secondaries deep. I’ve seen him play in person and watched a fair amount of tape on the kid and the biggest plus I can see is his athleticism which looks like it’s pretty astronomical from what I’ve seen. He’s got good hands and even if he can’t stretch the field on every play he still has a lot of raw potential that wasn’t tapped at USF.

With NFL-caliber coaches and teammates at his side he doesn’t have a bad chance at beating out Webb or Darling for the #4/5 slot(s). Teach him how to utilize his sprint speed on the field more efficiently without losing his great athleticism and he could be a very solid UDFA pickup.

Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...

by JHWK on May 7, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He at least deserves a shot

Im glad we’re at least seeing what the guy has to offer. He seems to have decent enough speed, looks strong like he can take (and deliver) a hit. Might make it as no. 3 or 4 WR for a few years. The return ability is a plus

by huskersnchiefs on May 7, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He makes plays

I dont care about the speed…or size. If you can make plays you can make it. He was making plays after plays in that highlight film. The next to last play he broke 5!! tackles to score. We need that guy who will play hard on every possession and not fall down after the initial contact. I say give this guy a shot….
Wonder where he would be if he went to Florida, USC, or Oklahoma….

Pain is Temporary ~ Pride is Forever!!

by Matt_Grbac on May 7, 2009 11:26 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Look at it this way...

It’s like we got one of the Raider’s draft picks AND our draft

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 7, 2009 1:52 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I think Johnson may actually be better

Than the Raiders 2nd round Safety that graded out as a low-6/7th rounder…. if not UDFA.

Seriously. Taurus Johnson, a UDFA, has a good shot at being more successful in the NFL than the Raiders 2nd round pick. That makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...

by JHWK on May 7, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's the rest of his highlights....

The above imbedded youtube video is part 1 of TJs USF career highlights, here is part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgCPCsNYEWc
 
There’s another 6 minutes of impressive playmaking in part 2.

by ChiefStrong on May 7, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He has the talent

and with good coaching and guys like Bobby Ingram to show him what its like to be a professional, he could be very good for us.

by breeder on May 7, 2009 7:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

USF was on TV alot the last couple of years

and he looked really good. It always seemed like when Matt Grothe needed a big play Johnson was there. Not a big fan of USF but was loving every minute of ’em when they beat KU, on ESPN none the less!!!!!

Zack Greinke for Cy Young!!!!!

by KCchief5555 on May 7, 2009 10:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jessie Hester, Jr.
Over four seasons a USF Bull, started thirteen games mainly as a #2 receiver to current Chicago Bears WR/KR Deven Hester’s cousin, Jessie Hester Jr. Interestingly enough, Hester was not drafted or signed yet by any NFL team.

This fact becomes significantly less interesting when you take three seconds to type Jessie Hester Jr.’s name into Google and learn he is still in school. But please, continue acting like anyone should take you seriously.

by gobulls83 on May 8, 2009 5:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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