Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Charles Johnson Headed in the Right Direction

By Erik Durand | May 22, 2015

Charles Johnson broke onto the scene last year after fellow wide receivers failed to emerge as a number one target. Johnson became a Viking after Norv Turner vouched for him and suggested the Vikings take a look at acquiring the former Brown whom Turner had coached in Cleveland. Johnson was a 7^th round draft pick in 2013 and spent a year on the Packers’ practice squad before heading over to Cleveland.

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His seemingly instant chemistry with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater allowed the Vikings wide out to become Bridgewater’s go-to target. I don’t think anyone expected or knew number 12 was going to perform as well as he did as quickly as he did but it was a blessing in a season where receivers with bigger expectations failed to perform to the organization and fans’ standards.

So what’s next for Charles Johnson? Well as it sits, all signs point him to be slotted as the second wide receiver on the depth chart, behind newly acquired Mike Wallace. Wallace has a special skill set and is a more seasoned receiver than the 26 year-old Johnson but I think these two can compliment each other very well and pose as viable threats in this offense.

As far as expectations go, I would be incredibly happy and not all that surprised if the second year Viking flirts with or even surpasses the 1,000-yard mark. This would be an outstanding accomplishment considering no Viking has accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season since Sidney Rice in 2009. But with where I think this offense is heading it is completely possible.

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In 2015 I look for Johnson and Bridgewater to maintain that same level of chemistry they had last year and continue to show progression as the duo enter their second season together. Johnson has good enough hands and route running skills to be solid in shorter yardage situations and has shown speed and elusiveness that allows him to get open to be a more vertical threat.

For a guy who was a late round pick and spent significant time on the practice squad in his career he has done a great job of making a name for himself in Minnesota. And isn’t his success a little bit sweeter because he was drafted by the Packers and gets to show them what they passed up on twice a year?

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