Can Collin Johnson Survive Giants' Wide Receiver Battle?

Collin Johnson, wide receiver

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 220 pounds
2021 stats*: GP 12 / GS 1: 11 catches, 105 yards

* Missed 2022 season due to injury

Collin Johnson was originally drafted in the fifth round by the Jaguars in 2020. He was waived by them just before the start of the 2021 regular season, then got signed by the New York Giants. Johnson appeared in 12 games for the Giants in 2021, sparingly as a wideout and more on special teams.

Johnson was poised for a bigger role in 2022 with a new coaching staff. He had a strong start to his camp last year, catching seven passes for 82 yards in their preseason opener against the Patriots. He was also seen running with the first-team offense on occasion and appeared to be on his way to seeing more playing time once the regular season began.

Unfortunately for Johnson and the Giants, he tore his Achilles in late August, ending his season prematurely. Fast forward one year later, and the Giants' wide receiver room has drastically changed, with many players battling for what might be one or two spots, Johnson among that group. Can he do enough to show the coaching staff that he can still be impactful?

Best Case Scenario

Barring injury, the Giants wide receiver room is mostly set with Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, and Parris Campbell likely locks, Jamison Crowder a projected lock, and possibly Jeff Smith a lock for special teams purposes.

(Wan'Dale Robinson and Sterling Shepard, both recovering from season-ending injuries, could begin the summer on the PUP list and are questionable to be ready for the start of the year.)

If the Giants follow the same blueprint they did last season, they’ll go into Week 1 carrying seven wideouts. This likely leaves one or two open spots for guys like Johnson, David Sills, and Kalil Pimpleton.

The best thing that can happen for Johnson is to pick up where he left off last season. He possesses height like no other wideout on the roster, so using that to his advantage will be key. During OTAs, Johnson has been faring well when called upon.

Standing out in practices and making plays when preseason rolls around will be key to Johnson cracking the roster.

Worst Case Scenario

The worst thing that could happen in Johnson’s case is that the injury compromised his speed and quickness, and he ends up being beaten for a roster spot by another player.

As already noted, there are a lot of players in the mix at wide receiver this year for the Giants, and those who aren't locks for a roster spot need to stand out from the rest of the pack to impress the coaches.

If Johnson cannot perform the same maneuvers as in previous seasons, that could hinder his chances of making an impact.

What to Expect in 2023

Johnson should not be forgotten, as he was clearly on his way to a big role last season. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee things will be the same this year, but it indicates that the coaching staff believes he can execute in their system.

If he makes the team, expect Johnson to be mixed in periodically behind guys like Hodgins, Slayton, Campbell, and Hyatt. Johnson's 6-foot-6 height is certainly intriguing, as is the possibility of him being on the field at the same time as 6-foot-7 Darren Waller.

If Johnson doesn’t make the 53-man roster, which is a possibility, perhaps another start on the practice squad might allow him to further work on regaining whatever he lost due to his injury.