They improved their options at quarterback, but the New York Giants still need another viable pass-catcher to emerge next to No. 1 wide receiver Malik Nabers. If it’s tight end Theo Johnson then all the better, because the fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft has one niche skill that can lead to a breakout season.
Johnson didn’t show much as a rookie, partly because he “came in at 1.0 yards per route run and seemed to struggle trying to catch passes in the flat,” according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
That’s the bad news about a player who should still be a starter for the Giants in his second season. Barnwell provided some good news by also pointing out former Penn State star Johnson “did have a couple of big gains up the seam in the midseason on throws that might be featured more often with the Giants’ new quarterbacks.”
The last note about the potential impact of new quarterbacks on Johnson’s game is the key to the 24-year-old exceeding expectations and becoming a viable weapon within a changing passing game.
Giants Better Equipped to Exploit Theo Johnson Talent
When the Giants signed former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston and 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson in free agency, they immediately expanded their passing game. Both have well-earned reputations as a vertical throwers, and Wilson in particular, remains one of the more gifted deep passers in the game.
Wilson offered proof of his enduring ability to take the top off coverage by averaging an impressive 7.9 intended air yards during his 13th season, per Pro Football Reference. The 36-year-old also continued a career-long habit of targeting Johnson’s position.
Their combination should lead to more plays like this 35-yard touchdown between the numbers against the Washington Commanders, highlighted by Nick Falato of SB Nation’s Big Blue View.
Fortunately, Johnson has been doing the right things this offseason to put himself in position to make more of these catches.
Theo Johnson Doing the Right Things for Giants
Johnson has already appeared in better physical shape headed into Year 2. The 6-foot-6, 264-pounder also attended a voluntary offseason program to learn from some of the best to play his position.
These are just the kinds of things the Giants want to see from a young player with a potentially crucial role to play this season. Johnson is still ahead of incumbent Daniel Bellinger, who’s a more realistic candidate to be replaced, but the Giants do have an intriguing rookie on the depth chart.
The late-rounder’s physical profile and playing style have even earned praise from Travie Kelce, the four-time Super Bowl winner who’s arguably the greatest true tight end in NFL history. That endorsement will be hard to ignore if Johnson falters in 2025.
Another tight end who may not go unnoticed is veteran Greg Dulcich. He played with Wilson for the Denver Broncos, and has a solid rapport with the decorated signal-caller after setting career-high marks for targets (55) and receptions (33) in 2022.
Dulcich could take catches away from Johnson, but the Giants will hope the latter can deliver as a more dynamic field-stretcher on inside routes.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Giants TE Theo Johnson Has 1 Skill Needed for Breakout Season appeared first on Heavy Sports.