CLEVELAND, Ohio \u2014 Diontae Johnson\u2019s wakeup call arrived with his phone set to silent. No, wait \u2014 the ringer was on, but nobody called. <\/p>\n
After catching a career-low 33 passes for three different teams last season \u2014 Panthers, Ravens, Texans \u2014 Johnson waited almost two months after free agency opened to find his next home. The Browns finally called in May, and Johnson said during minicamp that they were the only ones. <\/p>\n
The former Pro Bowl receiver said in a recent podcast interview that the lack of interest \u201chumbled me.\u201d<\/a> Hope that\u2019s true, because here\u2019s another dose of humility: <\/p>\n The Browns need Johnson as much as he needs them. <\/p>\n The stakes might be higher for Johnson, who at 29 is playing on a non-guaranteed minimum contract (mirror, meet football mortality). But the Browns are running a four-man quarterback experiment this offseason. And in order to bank reliable data, Cleveland needs reliable receivers. <\/p>\n Start with reigning Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy, who tallied 90 catches for 1,229 yards amid his career revival last season. Browns general manager Andrew Berry deserves more credit for acquiring Jeudy, then signing him to an affordable (if early) extension last summer. <\/p>\n Tight end David Njoku, who made the Pro Bowl two seasons ago, gives young passers a seam-stretching security blanket with a wide catch radius. But beyond Njoku and Jeudy, Cleveland rosters only one traditional pass catcher (read: not running backs) with a 100-yard receiving game under his belt. <\/p>\n Any guesses? Not former top 75 pick Cedric Tillman, though he did average 85 receiving yards over a three-game stretch last season (the best of his career). Not free agent addition DeAndre Carter, who has tallied 13 catches over his last two NFL seasons (30 games), which have been spent as a return specialist. None of Jamari Thrash, David Bell or Michael Woods II have done it, either. <\/p>\n The only other Browns receiver or tight end to clear the 100-yard bar is the 29-year-old on a veteran\u2019s minimum, four years removed from his lone Pro Bowl season (2021). At his peak (2020-22), Johnson logged three straight 80-catch seasons. Only five players \u2014Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelce, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill \u2014 matched that consistency, and only three (Johnson, Hill and Adams) did so with four different starting quarterbacks. <\/p>\n Ask him three years later, and Johnson will tell you he can still match that production. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still in that form,\u201d Johnson said during minicamp. <\/a>\u201dIt\u2019s just a matter (of) whenever I get my opportunities and be able to put it on film.\u201d<\/p>\n Patience. Receivers coach Chad O\u2019Shea said last month that Johnson, like all new players, still has \u201ca long way to go\u201d after just three minicamp practices. Remember, Johnson didn\u2019t sign until May, and he did not attend voluntary OTAs (organized team activities). <\/p>\n Ahead of training camp later this month, Johnson\u2019s role reads like his contract: Incentive-based. Study the playbook, master the route tree, practice well, and Johnson should earn a chance. His competition is unproven, and his bosses know it. <\/p>\n Hence the low risk bet on his talent, though notice I didn\u2019t say \u201crisk-free\u201d. Technically, the Browns can cut Johnson at no penalty this summer. But despair works at both ends of the phone. <\/p>\n Johnson needed the Browns to call him this offseason. But Cleveland also felt the need to call. <\/p>\n Football Insider newsletter free trial: Take a minute and sign up for a free trial<\/a> of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com’s Browns reporters.<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CLEVELAND, Ohio \u2014 Diontae Johnson\u2019s wakeup call arrived with his phone set to silent. 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