Why the Saints need Juwan Johnson to be healthy in 2024

Juwan Johnson is someone whose importance to the New Orleans Saints offense has flown under the radar. However, he has the ability to be an important playmaker in 2024. In June, it was announced that he suffered a foot injury which required surgery. Johnson’s recovery timeline is something that could dramatically impact the Saints season, positively or negatively.

A great example of the impact that Juwan Johnson has is evident while examining both matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. In the Week 4 matchup, Johnson was sidelined due to a calf injury, and the Saints ended up losing 26-9. In this game Derek Carr completed 62% of his passes for 127 yards and the offense seemed out of sync against the Buccaneers defense. 

Week 17 was another story. The Saints ended up winning 23-13 thanks to the help of Johnson. In this game, he tallied eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. He proved to be a reliable target for Derek Carr who also improved from Week 4, completing 75% of his passes for 197 yards, and two touchdowns. This change in outcomes helps show why Johnson is a key piece to the Saints offense.

Juwan Johnson is an important piece for the Saints offense

New Orleans went 3-1 in the final four games of the 2023 season. A resurgence from Johnson played a role in the late-season success. In those final four games, he totaled 216 yards receiving. On its own, this doesn’t seem staggering. However, in the first nine games that Johnson played, he only amounted 152 yards. His increased role in the receiving game made Derek Carr more comfortable and more efficient.

One important thing that Johnson does for the offense is continuing to move the chains. If the Saints are in a bind, he has shown the ability to gain a first down to keep the drive going. In that Week 17 game against Tampa Bay, he totaled seven first downs. His ability to extend drives was a crucial piece for the Saints offense. It wasn’t just that game that Johnson moved the chains. In the final four games, he provided New Orleans 15 total first downs.

Juwan Johnson being healthy will be a key component to the Saints success in 2024. If he is able to rehab from his foot surgery, then Johnson should have an important role carved out for him.

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