New York Giants NFL Draft 2024 results: Giants select Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State, in Round 4

Giants add to tight end room

With the No. 107 pick in Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft the New York Giants selected Theo Johnson, tight end, Penn State.

There was some thought that the Giants might use this pick on South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. As they have done to this point in the draft, though, the Giants bypassed quarterback to add positional depth.

Selecting a tight end makes sense given the uncertainty surrounding whether Darren Waller intends to play or retire. The Giants added free agent tight ends Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll, but both are blocking options who won’t add to the passing game.

Johnson, if he reaches his potential, could do that.

Here is how Johnson describes his game:

Ian Rapoport says Johnson has “a lot of similarities to Waller.”

Johnson has top-shelf measurables:

Scouting reports

The 6-foot-6, 259-pound Johnson had a Round 3 grade in the draft guide published by Dane Brugler of The Athletic. He wrote:

A three-year starter at Penn State, Johnson was a versatile tight end in former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s RPO-based scheme, splitting his time betweeninline (47.9 percent), slot (38.8 percent) and wide (9.8 percent). A wide receiver in high school in Canada, he faced a steep transition moving to tight end at State College and didn’t have a 100-yard receiving performance in 45 college games (and reached 75 yards just once). But his production steadily climbed each season, and he led the Nittany Lions in touchdown grabs in 2023. Johnson is quick off the ball and builds his speed downfield, giving his quarterback a big tar get with his size, strong hands and athletic catch radius. As a blocker, he doesn’t embarrass himself but needs to better understand leverage and develop mor e of a glasschewing mentality. Overall, Johnson has inconsistent college tape and production, but he has A-plus measurements and smooth athletic tools that could allow him to continue developing and become a better pro than college player. Although he is a work in progress, he is a worthy long-term investment for an NFL team.

Matt Waldman (The Rookie Scouting Portfolio):

Johnson is a fast-riser during the pre-draft cycle because of his workouts. He has elite speed, acceleration, and good change of direction quickness for a tight end with near-prototypical size. Beyond the physical, Johnson’s game has promising facets.

33rd Team:

Johnson is a versatile, athletic player and projects best as a low-end starting Y-tight end with H ability if he improves his route running skills. He is a good run blocker and can match up with any defender on the field. He can excel on 3rd down as a run blocker on short-yardage situations and can make an impact with his big catch radius and toughness after the catch. He has the drive and toughness to be a special teams player if it is asked of him at the next level.

Instant grade

Walter Football gives the pick a ‘B’:

It sounds like Darren Waller will retire this offseason, so the Giants really needed to find a tight end. Theo Johnson is a solid prospect who makes sense as a fourth-round prospect. This is a solid pick to help Daniel Jones even more.

Giants round-by-round draft selections

Round 1 (No. 6) — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Round 2 (No. 47) — Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Round 3 (No. 70) — Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Round 4 (No. 107) — Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Round 5 (No. 166) —
Round 6 (No. 183) —

More draft coverage

• Big Blue View Draft Hub page
• 2024 Big Blue View Big Board – How do the prospects stack up?
• Big Blue View rules for draft success, 2024 edition
• Big Blue View mailbag: Draft day edition

Get your Malik Nabers t-shirt

Go to BreakingT to get the shirt below:

Other BBV platforms

BBV on X
BBV on Facebook
BBV on Instagram
BBV on YouTube

Grade the pick