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Juwan Johnson
TE · NO

Juwan Johnson

Position TE
Team NO
Bye Week 8
PPR Rank #135

Juwan Johnson

NFL player. Position: TE. Team: NO.

Quick Facts

  • Position: TE
  • Team: NO (New Orleans Saints)
  • Bye week (2026): 8
  • FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 135

2026 Outlook

Week 4 status — elevated to every-week starter (Oct 2, 2026): Juwan Johnson has officially transitioned from streamer to every-week tight end starter. He ranks TE3 on the season and is now considered a starting option in all formats. With Tyler Shough leading the league in passing attempts and Johnson's reliable role in the passing game, his consistency has earned him permanent roster status (per Week 4 Rankings Fantasy Football: Jamie Calandro's Outlooks).

Week 3 sleeper pick: Yahoo Sports identified Johnson as a top TE sleeper for Week 3, highlighting his recent illness setback in Week 2 that reduced usage 31% from the prior week. The article expects full integration into the Saints' high-powered passing attack (ranked 2nd in the league) facing the Las Vegas Raiders, who rank 28th in red-zone defense. Johnson's 6th-place ranking among tight ends in red-zone target rate positions him for significant scoring opportunities under QB Tyler Shough, the league leader in passing yards. The Saints' offensive pace (fastest in 2025) continues to provide volume, and Johnson should see production rebound as his illness clears. (per Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers Featuring CJ Stroud & Juwan Johnson)

Johnson is entering his seventh NFL season with the Saints after signing a three-year, $30.75 million contract extension in 2025. Fresh off his most productive season to date with 889 receiving yards on 77 receptions and 3 touchdowns, Johnson is positioned as a key piece in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's scheme. The Saints are trending upward with Moore's offensive focus, and with fellow Oregon alum Tyler Shough now the official starter at QB, Johnson should benefit from improved quarterback play and continuity in the offense. His production has climbed higher over the last three seasons, and Saints fans are hoping the trend continues in 2026. (per Oregon Tight Ends In NFL Face Injury Update, Big Training Camp Questions)

Late-round fantasy value: Johnson is attracting significant late-round attention heading into 2026 drafts, with ADP sitting at 146 (outside top-15 at tight end). His catch-rate consistency (75.5% of targets in 2025) and role as Tyler Shough's most reliable passing-game target make him a steal for managers willing to wait on tight end production. (per Pat Freiermuth And 2 Other Late-Round Fantasy Football Tight Ends With Value In 2026). In FFPC's 1.5-PPR tight end format, Johnson stands out as a portfolio-building option, allowing managers to stack multiple pass-catching tight ends at late-round cost (per Optimal Position Allocation for FFPC Best Ball).

Johnson's 2025 production (77 catches, 889 yards, 3 TDs) was a career year, but the TD total was fluky-low: averaging only 0.04 TDs per catch despite elite target volume. This rate should regress upward naturally in 2026, providing ceiling upside on top of his consistent floor. As a floor-play second TE in best ball or PPR formats, Johnson offers stability without weekly bust risk due to his high target reliability and offensive system fit. While he won't carry a team to a championship by himself, his combination of volume, efficiency, and TD-regression potential makes him one of the safest late-round TE picks (per Fantasy Football Tight End Sleepers 2026: 5 Late-Round TEs Who Can Win Your League).

Aug 29 — PrizePicks sleeper mention: Featured as Saints tight end sleeper heading into 2026. Saints had competent offense once Tyler Shough took over at QB, and Johnson received substantial role while Shough led. From Week 9 onward, Johnson received 50 targets across nine games—20.2% target share. Finished with 77 receptions, 889 yards (third among all tight ends), and 3 TDs on 103 targets. Saints drafted WR Jordyn Tyson to help offense, but Tyson will miss at least first month with hamstring injury. Johnson expected to reprise Week 9+ role as Shough's primary receiving target. With ADP outside top 125 at tight end, Johnson could work into starting consideration with sustained opportunities and target volume. (per 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers to Draft in 2026, According to NFL Experts - PrizePicks)

Sept 12 — FantasyPros Week 1 start recommendation: FantasyPros consensus ranks Johnson as TE9 in half-PPR heading into Week 1. The recommendation highlights his excellent fit with Saints' pace (fastest in 2025) and new play-caller Klint Kubiak's scheme. Johnson's path is clear with Jordyn Tyson on hamstring injury to start season. (per 3 Burning Questions: Fantasy Football Lineup Advice (Week 1) - FantasyPros)

TE room competition: Johnson restructured his contract in March 2026 to free up Saints cap space. New Orleans subsequently invested heavily at TE—adding proven veteran Noah Fant in free agency and selecting Oscar Delp, an athletically elite prospect, in the 3rd round. Johnson remains the clear TE1 after his career year, but Saints' potential deployment of multi-TE looks and new target competition could impact ceiling volume in 2026 (per Saints' Juwan Johnson: Heads reloaded TE room - CBS Sports).

September 11 – Expanded role with WR depth depleted: With Jordyn Tyson sidelined and receiver depth thin, the Saints passing game leans on Johnson and Noah Fant to provide secondary receiving targets beyond Chris Olave. This creates opportunity for additional targets and goal-line looks, positioning Johnson as a potential TE1 option for fantasy managers despite multi-TE deployment risk (per Saints Passing Game Could Be By Committee Outside of Chris Olave).

Role / Depth Chart

Primary tight end and featured receiving target in Saints offense. Projected to see consistent targets under Kellen Moore.

Injury Status

None reported.

Recent News

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)

Coaches shaping Juwan's role

Kellen MooreHead CoachDoug NussmeierOffensive CoordinatorTerry JosephDefensive Pass Game CoordinatorBrendan NugentOffensive Line CoachChase HaslettTight Ends CoachJosh HillAssistant Tight Ends CoachTobijah HughleyAssistant Offensive Line Coach

What the Experts Are Saying

FantasyProsFantasy Football Week 5 Rankings & Tiers | QBs & TEs Studs, Busts & Sleepers (2026)
The Fantasy HeadlinersPANIC or PATIENCE? Revisiting EVERY Top Fantasy Football Pick 🚨
Flock FantasyTop 100 Flex Rankings & Tiers (week5)