Why the New York Giants drafted TE Theo Johnson | Sporting News

The New York Giants entered the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft looking to build more depth, and they started the fourth round with the selection of Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.

One of the most athletic players in the entire draft class, Johnson is an intriguing prospect for the Giants to build as a long-term option at the tight end position.

While general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are keeping the long-term view in mind, there was also a pressing matter that contributed to them drafting Johnson in the first place.

Schoen told the media following the draft that the Giants kept Darren Waller’s uncertain future in mind when selecting Johnson.

“We had to take that into account for sure,” Schoen said Waller’s potential retirement. “But you know, Theo was the top player on our board. I’m trying to think, if there were any of these guys that we took that weren’t the top player on the board at the time…last night we left, he was sticking out for us.  You always think when you come in the next morning, he’s going to go sooner and may not be there and we’re excited to get Theo.

Johnson certainly brings a lot of upside to a tight end position that hasn’t been all that productive in recent seasons. The trade for Waller was a low-cost move at the time, but it certainly hasn’t panned out the way the Giants wish it would have.

At 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds, Johnson ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash and posted incredible numbers that included a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-5-inch broad jump.

Though Johnson’s immediate role with the Giants is unclear, there’s a chance the former Nittany Lion is the one to supplant Waller at tight end for Big Blue.

For more Giants coverage, check out Kevin Hickey’s work on Sporting News.