Can Theo Johnson Quickly Become Giants' TE1?

New York Giants rookie tight end Theo Johnson now possesses an outstanding opportunity to be the team's TE1 this season. Veteran starter Darren Waller officially announced his retirement earlier this week and Johnson appears primed to fill Waller's shoes.

Waller had been contemplating retirement all offseason long. His decision arrives well in advance of July's training camp. It should afford Johnson additional reps with the starting offense during the most crucial preparation period ahead of the 2024 season.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen selected Johnson with the No. 107 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to protect himself while Waller continued contemplating his future. Schoen’s willingness to address a hole before it officially became a need is about to pay major dividends for head coach Brian Daboll.

Waller finished third on the Giants in targets last season with 74 despite being limited to 12 appearances with injury. His 6.1 targets per game played were a team-high mark. Factor in Saquon Barkley’s departure, and that’s 134 targets that are now available in the Giants’ passing game from last season. A healthy Daniel Jones could pepper Johnson with targets as he searches for reliable weapons to emerge.

Johnson is an elite athlete who projects as a difficult assignment for defenses in coverage. The Nittany Lions standout ran a 4.57 40 at the NFL Combine with splits of 2.62 and 1.55 (a position-high for the latter). His 4.19 shuttle was another position-best result. Johnson also leaped the second-best results among all tight ends with a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump. He captured a 9.99 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score as a result.

Johnson leaves Penn State with some untapped potential. The Windsor, Ontario, Canada native posted a career-high 341 receiving yards in 2023, but it begs the question of why Johnson wasn't a focal point of the offense. His red-zone prowess was obvious as the towering 6-foot-6 and 259-pounder totaled seven receiving touchdowns.

The Giants observed Johnson at this year’s Senior Bowl. Johnson wound up being named the top tight end on the National roster in a vote by his linebacker and defensive back teammates after they dealt with his route-running throughout a productive week of practice. The competitiveness was evident.

Daboll is revamping the Giants' offense. A healthy Jones at quarterback should make Daboll a pass-happier playcaller than he was last season (The Giants attempted a 26th-ranked 518 passes in 2023). Sixth overall selection and former LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers will be the Giants' unquestioned go-to playmaker in 2024.

Nabers could top 100 targets as an explosive rookie player. There's competition for opportunities behind him, and there's a scenario where Johnson could be the Giants' second-most-targeted pass-catcher this season. He'll form a one-two punch at tight end alongside Daniel Bellinger in Waller's absence. Bellinger has never reached 300 receiving yards and his sophomore campaign failed to build on a somewhat promising 2022 rookie season.

The Giants were proactive by drafting Johnson. Waller's retirement provides a clear path for Johnson to become Daboll's TE1 this season. Opportunity should arrive in abundance.