Theo Johnson entered the 2024 NFL Draft as a standout tight end from Penn State, drawing attention from the New York Giants and other teams for his exceptional athleticism and versatility.
Known for his rare blend of size and speed at 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds, Johnson was touted as a high-upside prospect who could eventually bring dynamic playmaking to an NFL offense. Over his college career, he tallied 77 receptions, 938 yards, and 12 touchdowns, with seven scores in his senior season, proving he could be a reliable red-zone target.
The New York Giants were likely impressed by Johnson’s elite physical metrics at the 2024 Scouting Combine, where he logged a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’5” broad jump - some of the top numbers among tight ends. With these kinds of tools, Johnson entered the NFL as a player with serious potential to impact a pro offense with his speed and leaping ability.
Yet despite his impressive college background and clear athletic upside, Johnson has been underutilized in the Giants’ offensive scheme. This limited involvement raises questions about whether involving him more could give New York’s offense a much-needed boost.
Would more targets for Theo Johnson help the NY Giants?
Recently, B/R suggested the G-Men need to get Theo Johnson more targets. The thought process was getting him involved more in the offense would be good for his development and for the offense as a whole:
"In fairness to the Giants' coaching staff, Johnson has become a bigger part of the game plan recently. He had 10 targets in Weeks 8 and 9 combined compared to just 16 in the team's first seven games. That trend needs to continue to finish the campaign. The rookie tight end averaged 11.8 yards per catch heading into the weekend and will likely be a building block for the offense moving forward." - B/R staff
Unfortunately for Johnson, the Giants are in a QB transition phase where he most likely won't have a reliable signal-caller throwing him the ball. Regardless, the move to get him more catches makes sense.
Johnson is an athletically gifted tight end with the potential to become one of the league’s best at his position. With a huge catch radius, he’s shown over the past two games just what he can do with the ball in his hands. So far this season, he’s averaged 11.3 yards per reception, signaling that he could be a reliable chain-mover for the G-Men for years to come.
Getting him the necessary reps is crucial for his development. New York doesn’t have many other reliable pass-catching options on the roster, and at 2-8, the Giants have little to lose. At this point in the season, they should focus on identifying young talent to build around for the future.
Though his season has been somewhat disappointing overall, the past few weeks have shown promise. Big Blue should get Johnson more involved to see if he can develop into a dependable tight end.