Johnson’s rookie season
Little was expected of Bisi Johnson coming into the 2019 campaign. He was seen as a development project by the Vikings who could learn the tricks of the trade from the talented duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Johnson impressed the Vikings coaching staff enough to earn a rotational role heading into the regular season. His influence grew as the campaign wore on and he eventually saw 53 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
This was more than even Johnson himself could have expected and it was largely due to Minnesota’s lack of options at the No. 3 receiver spot and Thielen missing time with an injury. The Vikings brought back former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell following his initial release, but this did not prevent Johnson from seeing the field for a considerable period of time in 2019.
Johnson showed flashes of what he was capable of in Minnesota’s run-first offense. He brought in 31 of 45 targets on his way to 294 receiving yards and a 9.5 yards-per-catch average.
The young receiver secured his first-ever NFL touchdown in the Vikings’ Week 7 win over the Detroit Lions. He would find the end zone two more times during the regular season, first against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 and then during Minnesota’s home matchup against the Lions in Week 14.
Johnson also gained some playoff experience last year as he caught two passes for 17 yards in the Vikings memorable wild card win over the New Orleans Saints. This will have undoubtedly done his development a world of good as he looks to take another progressive leap forward in 2020.