The New Orleans Saints don't have the deepest TE room, but they are very confident in their top option, Juwan Johnson.
The same could be said for the Cajun Cannon Bobby Hebert who, despite being burned before, is ready to make a bold proclamation about his expectations for Juwan's 2025 season.
"My hot take, Juwan Johnson is going to be a Pro Bowl player," Oh, Bobby, you told me to take him in fantasy a couple years ago, how did that work out? I don’t know, I think he’s going to grow and the Saints think he’s going to continue to grow.”
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Despite some inconsistency in the past, it might not be a bad bet. Kellen Moore has been known to prioritize his tight ends, and Saints fans will remember well -- though maybe not fondly -- Dallas Goedert's 10-catch, 170-yard performance in the Caesars Superdome last year. Injuries limited him to just 11 games, but he still logged 42 catches for 496 yards and two touchdowns on the year, as well as another 17 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' Super Bowl run.
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Johnson himself had a career year in 2024 with 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns, but he too often finds long stretches without a big impact. Still, the Saints opted to sign the 28-year-old to a 3-year, $30 million extension this offseason, indicating their confidence he can take the next step. The converted WR is healthy this offseason after battling a foot injury throughout last year's camp, and Hebert thinks this is the year.
The same can't be said for another pair of tight ends in Taysom HIll and Foster Moreau, who are both starting camp on the PUP list as they work back from knee injuries.
"I guess I’m just wishing, because he needs to," Hebert continues, "because you’re hoping for speedy recoveries for Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill and all the other parts of the tight end room. ... I’m just telling you, I think Juwan Johnson can help the young quarterbacks, he has to have a big year, and nothing against Rashid Shaheed or Chris Olave and all that, I just think he has to have a big year. “