With the 107th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Giants have selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.
With the uncertainty surrounding Darren Waller and the potential that he retires, the Giants played it safe and grabbed one of the best tight ends still on the board.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Johnson met with the Giants during the pre-draft process and earned a wildly impressive relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.93, which was ninth-best among tight ends since 1987.
So proud of you Theo! You have been a phenomenal teammate & mentor for this program. The @Giants are gaining a selfless, motivated leader. I couldn’t be happier for you & your family! #WeAre https://t.co/RkgBjGr39S pic.twitter.com/uVHPrdEzhX
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) April 27, 2024
Despite his athleticism, there are limitations to Johnson’s game. He’s still somewhat raw and in need of development, particularly as a run blocker (should be better for his size), but will provide a big target for quarterback Daniel Jones. His ability to haul in contested catches will also be a welcomed addition for the Giants.
It’s unlikely Johnson will step in as a Day 1 starter even in the event Waller retires but with the right coaching, he can develop into a quality tight end over time. Expectations are that he will eventually be more productive in the NFL than he was in college.
In 44 career games at PSU, Johnson hauled in 77 receptions for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned an overall grade of 62.5 courtesy of Pro Football Focus in 2023.
