2016 is a big year for T.J. Johnson in determining the rest of his NFL career arch.
Originally drafted out of South Carolina in 2013, Johnson has made the Bengals' final roster in each of the past two seasons as a backup center and guard. He is classified as a third-year player for 2016, though he joined the Bengals in 2013 after being drafted out of South Carolina with the 251st overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
While Johnson spent his rookie season on the practice squad, he broke through to make the 53-man roster in 2014, and appeared in four games. In 2015, Johnson appeared in 12 games, including the Wild Card game, but rarely has seen the field in each of his first two seasons.
During his final year of college, his redshirt senior year in 2012, Johnson started in all 13 games at center and broke the school's record for starts over a career. He was named to the Coaches All-SEC second-team and finished his career having started every game from 2009-12.
Contract
2016 Stock
The Bengals felt good enough about Johnson's progress that they re-signed him this offseason by tendering him as an exclusive-rights free agent. That will give him another shot to make the final roster in 2016, which may be his final year with the Bengals.
It's unlikely that Johnson will be able to overtake Russell Bodine for the starting center spot, but he will still be just one injury away from becoming the team's starting center. That would have his stock on the rise, but for now, I'm calling a hold on Johnson's stock until we know more about fifth-round rookie Christian Westerman, who's primarily a guard, but could also play center.
That would make Johnson much more expendable than he already is.
Roster Chances
Because Johnson has played both backup guard and backup center over his career, that has helped him remain on the 53-man roster as he's continued to develop. How big of a step forward he's taken this offseason will largely determine if he's able to make it three years in a row, not to mention showcasing his abilities in a contract year.
But with all five starting spots likely locked up while Jake Fisher, Christian Westerman and Eric Winston should make it as backups, Johnson could be the odd man out if the Bengals stay true to their ways and keep eight offensive linemen.
For now, I give Johnson a 35-percent chance of making the final roster. Being on the final year of his contract hurts him in comparison to guys like Westerman, who is under contract through 2019.