Giants hoping for strong tight end production from revamped 1-2 punch

The Giants’ tight end room doesn’t boast anyone who is dating the biggest pop star in the world, nor anyone with the on-field stature of Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce. 

With retired former Pro Bowler Darren Waller no longer on the roster, the Giants will be seeking production from a combination of third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger and impressive rookie Theo Johnson at the position this season, which continues with Saturday’s preseason road game against the Texans. 

“My mindset is whatever they need me to do. I’m not worried about being tight end 1 or 2, just whatever I can do to help us win,” Bellinger told The Post earlier this week. “And Theo is a true pro. Some rookies struggle with stuff, but he came in and is taking care of business. I think he’s going to help our team a lot and I’m looking forward to working with him.” 

Bellinger has contributed 55 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns during his first two NFL seasons, though he didn’t get in the end zone in 17 games last year after the Giants acquired Waller to be the starter. 

“Belly is one of those guys that kind of does it all in the pass game, in the run game. He’s continuing to develop and grow. He’s getting stronger,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said after Thursday’s practice. “You saw that leap from Year 1 to Year 2, and you can see his confidence in Year 3 of just being in the same system for three years. That’s going to pay dividends for him. I’m excited about him because he’s one of those guys that I see and visualize as a leader of that group.” 

Johnson, the Giants’ fourth-round pick out of Penn State, also has opened eyes as a potential target for Daniel Jones after his initial NFL camp was slowed by an injury. 

“Theo is a rookie, and he’s right on schedule with where he’s at in his development,” Kafka said. “He was one of those guys that kind of started a little bit later in camp, but he’s doing a really nice job. 

“I’m excited about him and we’re going to keep inserting him into the offense and continue to find ways to get him involved.” 

The 6-foot-6 Johnson stated previously in camp that he believes the Giants got “the steal” of the draft, and he said Thursday that he expects to make an impact as a rookie. 

“I think I’m definitely ready to have a role on this team, and I’m trying to show everyone that I’m capable of having a lot on my plate,” Johnson told The Post. “I’m learning as I go and continuing to improve. I still think there is a lot of meat on the bone, for sure. But I think I’m off to a good start. 

“The biggest adjustment is probably the mental piece, for sure. There’s so much more volume, and the detail is so much greater than in college, especially at the tight end position where you’re asked to know so much.” 

With multiple injuries affecting their depth at the position, the Giants also signed free agent fullback and tight end Jakob Johnson on Friday waived/injured Tyree Jackson, who left Thursday’s practice early with an undisclosed injury. 

The 29-year-old Johnson has appeared in 67 games over five seasons with the Patriots and the Raiders, including 13 for Las Vegas last season. In 2020 with New England, the German-born Johnson became the first product of the NFL’s International Pathway program to score a regular-season touchdown. 

Backup tight end Lawrence Cager has been sidelined since earlier this week with a groin injury. 

New offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo was on the coaching staffs of both the Patriots and the Raiders during Johnson’s career. 

But the top two tight ends on the roster clearly are Bellinger and Johnson heading into the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Vikings. 

“Daniel’s a great dude, very unselfish, and he’s helped me out a ton with communication and just showing me the ropes,” Johnson said. “I think we’re similar in the fact that we’re not pigeon-holed, we’re both capable run-blockers and pass-catchers. 

“So I think we’re going to do a lot of great things together.”