Saints’ Juwan Johnson can beat out Nick Vannett for final TE roster spot

In 2022, the New Orleans Saints will field a solid tight corps of Adam Trautman, Taysom Hill, and one more player to take the TE3 spot: Juwan Johnson or Nick Vannett.

Johnson’s talent and upside should help him beat Vannett for the final tight end roster spot, and with training camp just a few days away, this TE3 battle is one to watch.

Johnson joined NOLA in 2020 and has gotten a solid start to his Saints career: in the last two seasons, Johnson started six games and played in 21 games total, recorded 17 catches for 198 receiving yards, and scored four touchdowns.

The 25-year-old Oregon product started the 2021 season off with a bang but sizzled out for the rest of the season — with another year of experience under his belt, Johnson could earn at least a backup role in 2022.

Saints’ Juwan Johnson has been more consistent and productive than Nick Vannett

The Saints’ tight ends as a whole underperformed last season, yet Johnson still stands out as the most promising player of the bunch.

Adam Trautman put together another middling campaign in his second year in NOLA, and 2022 may be his last chance to keep the TE1 spot. NFL journeyman Nick Vannett featured in seven games in his first year in New Orleans and recorded nine catches for 133 yards and one touchdown, outshone by Johnson who showed off his big play redzone ability with three more scores than Vannett.

Taysom Hill will be the newest member of the unit as he makes the transition from quarterback to tight end, and he offers a unique set of skills that no one else on the team can match. Depending on how training camp shakes out, Trautman and Hill could share rotational snaps at the position with Hill used more in trick play scenarios.

Behind Trautman and Hill, however, Johnson seems poised to win the TE3 position as he continues to improve upon his game in Year 3 in NOLA.

Who’s your pick for TE3: Johnson or Vannett?