Juwan Johnson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The New Orleans Saints re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year deal worth over $30 million, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Johnson was one of the top tight ends available on the open market this offseason and will return to the Saints after a career-best 50-548-3 line in 17 games (five starts) in his fifth year in the league in 2024. The 28-year-old can make as much as $34.5 million and will receive $21.25 million guaranteed. Even though Johnson had a career year with the Saints last year, he finished as the TE17 in half-point PPR scoring. The good news is that Johnson will return to the only team he's played for in his five NFL seasons and will continue working with veteran quarterback Derek Carr in new head coach Kellen Moore's system. The bad news is that Johnson will likely continue to be inconsistent from a fantasy perspective on a weekly basis as a TE2.

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider suggests that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton could target New Orleans Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill (knee) this offseason. Johnson signed with the Saints when Payton was still the head coach in 2020 and had seven touchdowns in Payton's final season in 2022. The 28-year-old played in all 17 games in 2023 and finished with career-highs in catches (50) and receiving yards (548). His 18 TD receptions since 2021 are tied for seventh-most among all TEs in that span. Johnson also ranks sixth among all TEs the last four years in average air yards per target (8.64). He'd give Denver a downfield threat at the position that they've been lacking. Hill, a do-it-all 34-year-old that has been a RB and WR for Payton in the past in New Orleans, could be cut by the Saints this offseason after tearing his ACL in 2024. He'd give Denver another option in the short-yardage running game, an area they struggled at this past season.

New Orleans Saints tight end led the team in receptions and yards for the second week in a row in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished the day with six catches for 80 yards, beating the season-high he set just last week. With Chris Olave (concussion) sidelined for the season finale, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler looked to his tight ends often. Of Rattler's 240 passing yards on the day, 122 went to the trio of Johnson, Foster Moreau (knee), and Dallin Holker. Despite the multiple injuries that drained the Saints of their biggest playmakers, little was asked of Johnson to pick up the slack until the last two games of the season. Still, he will finish 2024 with career highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (548). The 28-year-old converted wide receiver is set to become a free agent in the coming offseason.