Giants’ Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

The Giants lost starting tight end Darren Waller to retirement this offseason, which created a fairly open competition at the position. New York needs to provide Jones with a reliable outlet option, and it may use a committee approach to do it.

Rookie fourth-round pick Theo Johnson is an intriguing pass-catching option who joins Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Lawrence Cager and Jack Stoll in the tight-end competition.

“It’s a really diverse group,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka told reporters.

Johnson has the athleticism and blocking ability needed to make an impact right away, though he may initially do so as a second option in two-tight-end sets. Bellinger, who has appeared in 29 games with 24 starts over the past two seasons, should open the season as TE1.

Bellinger and Johnson will likely top the depth chart, with Manhertz or Cager rounding out the top three. Cager was listed as the second-team tight end behind Bellinger on the first unofficial depth chart, but Manhertz may stick as a blocking specialist.

Expect Bellinger to be the starter for Week 1, though Johnson has more upside and may supplant him at some point as a rookie.

Projected Starter: Bellinger