Juwan Johnson

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		84	223	2,511	21
2025		17	77	889	3
2024		17	50	548	3
2023		13

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Juwan Johnson's $10.25M deal lands at a B- Contract Value Index, signaling a measured outcome for New Orleans. The grade reflects a tight-end contract that sits comfortably between the elite tier and the bargain basement—Johnson's 2025 season production of 889 receiving yards across 17 games proves he remains a legitimate, functional starter rather than a depth afterthought, which validates the investment from a performance perspective. At $10.25M annually on a three-year deal, Johnson occupies the solid-starter band for the position, a salary range that acknowledges consistent, professional-level output without demanding the premium dollars attached to top-five tight ends; it's neither underselling a talented veteran nor overpaying for a declining asset. His B+ performance grade sitting a full step above his B- sentiment grade tells the real story here—Johnson produces more consistently than the narrative around him suggests, yet the recent contract restructure, while organizational affirmation, also carries undertones of financial maneuvering amid the Saints' broader roster churn. The CVI verdict reflects this reality: Johnson has earned his paycheck on the field, but the franchise's ongoing cap-clearing moves and the absence of national award recognition keep this from being a slam-dunk value proposition. At 29 years old in his sixth season, Johnson remains in the productive phase of his career, though the three-year term does invite scrutiny about back-end guarantees and potential dead-cap consequences if the Saints move on earlier than expected.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Juwan's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Juwan Johnson is a six-year Saints veteran who has carved out a reliable role as a red-zone weapon and move tight end in New Orleans' offense. Earning a B+ grade, he ranks as a legitimate starter with upside beyond his draft pedigree as an undrafted free agent. His trajectory — improving from a C+ in 2024 to a B in 2025 — reflects a player hitting his prime at 29. Johnson's standout strength this season is his receiving volume, where his 52.3 receiving yards per game obliterates the NFL average of 10.67 and clears the elite threshold of 44.19. His 11.6 yards per reception also tops the league average of 9.19, signaling legitimate yards-after-catch ability and route refinement. The one area to monitor is touchdown efficiency — his 0.18 receiving touchdowns per game is near average and well below the elite mark of 0.47, suggesting his red-zone role may be less defined than his overall usage implies. Johnson has shown consistent upward momentum across three evaluated seasons, and at 29, he still has one or two peak years remaining. If New Orleans invests in quarterback stability, his role as a volume target could expand further. Watch whether his touchdown rate climbs — that leap would push him from a quality starter into a genuine fantasy and schematic chess piece.

How Juwan Compares at the Position

Juwan Johnson ranks 18th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Juwan between Kyle Pitts Sr. (B+) just ahead and Dalton Schultz (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Juwan Johnson enters 2026 as a dependable mid-tier tight end whose perception has benefited from a strong finish to the 2025 season and continued organizational confidence reflected in his contract restructure. Media coverage has shifted toward optimism, framing him as a potential ascending weapon in New Orleans' offense rather than a depth piece, which elevates his standing above typical role-player baseline. However, the absence of Pro Bowl selections or All-Pro recognition keeps him firmly in the solid starter category—respected but not elite in the tight end hierarchy. The recent headlines emphasizing his "career-best performance" and continued involvement in Saints offensive planning suggest fan and media sentiment is cautiously bullish on his trajectory heading into next season. Johnson's perception remains anchored to consistent production and team investment rather than star-level accolades, positioning him as a reliable contributor with modest upside in fan expectations.