Giants pick tight end Theo Johnson in NFL draft with Darren Waller’s future in doubt

Theo Johnson, the new towering tight end for the Giants, believes after he puts the work in, he will be a nightmare for opponents to deal with. 

“I think I give defenses a real problem because I have the speed and also the sheer size and power and when you have both of those as a tight end, it makes it really hard to defend,’’ Johnson said Saturday. “Because I can get up in your body and create separation or use my speed or use both. That’s gonna give a lot of people challenges when it comes to defending me.’’ 

The Giants hope the rookie’s words become prescient. 

What was not a need turned into one because of an unsettled situation.

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The status of Darren Waller’s return is very much up in the air and so, the Giants used their fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft — No. 107 overall — to take Johnson, out of Penn State. 

Waller is contemplating retirement — it sure seems as if he is leaning that way — and the Giants are giving the veteran time and space to make the decision.

That does not mean, though, that they were willing to sit back and wait and leave the position unattended. 

With Waller’s status up in the air, general manager Joe Schoen said, “We had to take that into account, for sure’’ when asked about taking a tight end. 

“He’s a guy who [Friday night] when we left, he was sticking out for us,’’ Schoen said. “You’re always thinking when you come in the next morning he’s going to go sooner and may not be there. We were excited to get Theo.’’ 

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Johnson, from Windsor, Ontario, is a physically-imposing athlete, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 259 pounds.

His production at Penn State was nothing special — 77 receptions in four years, for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He did have seven touchdown catches in 2023 in a sub-par Nittany Lions passing attack.

He is so big, fast enough and possessing an expansive catch radius that he could develop into a legitimate target for Daniel Jones, or whoever else is throwing the ball and playing quarterback for the Giants. 

Johnson thought he would get taken on Day 2 of the draft but going to the Giants was not a stunner for him.

He hit it off with Shea Tierney, the Giants quarterback coach, at the Senior Bowl, with Tierney serving as a head coach for one of the teams in Mobile, Ala.

At Penn State, he worked with Christian Daboll — son of Giants head coach Brian Daboll.

Christian Daboll is now a Giants offensive assistant. 

“It was clear this was definitely a potential landing spot for me,’’ Johnson said. 

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The 31-year-old Waller, acquired prior to last season in a trade with the Raiders, did not contribute as expected in 2023, which likely will be his only year with the Giants.

In 12 games — he missed time with a hamstring injury that plagued him with the Raiders — he had 52 receptions for 552 yards and only one touchdown. 

Waller, recently divorced from his wife of only one year, WNBA star Kelsey Plum, has said he does not know if he can give the commitment necessary to continuing his NFL career.

Waller has been outspoken about his mental health and substance-abuse issues. 

Johnson, of course, is not privy to any details as to what is going on with Waller.

Will they ever play together? 

“He’s someone who has really established himself in the league and I’m really looking forward to being in the same room as him and just hearing his wisdom from what he’s been through, not only in his career but his life,’’ Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to being his teammate.’’ 

Johnson joins a tight end room that has plenty of bodies but no one player who is considered to be a difference-maker.

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Daniel Bellinger returns for his third year with the team and Lawrence Cager and Tyree Jackson are also on the roster.

The Giants in free agency signed Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll, but they are more stop-gap options. 

Johnson is not reticent about extolling his virtues. He described his game as “gritty, explosive and powerful.’’

Growing up, he said he attracted comparisons to Tony Gonzalez, the Hall of Fame tight end, and singled out George Kittle of the 49ers as a player he wants to emulate. 

“He’s one of the last of the true tight ends that can do everything you need,’’ Johnson said. 

It sounds as if Johnson believes he can follow in those footsteps. 

“I think I’m definitely capable of being a tight end you can’t take off the field,’’ he said, “with all the attributes I have and I’m going to work for that.’’