The New York Giants could receive an unexpected boost in production from second-year tight end Theo Johnson, one season after the former Penn State star was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Johnson finished his rookie year with 29 catches for 331 yards and one touchdown, totaling three or more receptions in each of his final five games of 2024.
Johnson's first season in the NFL came to an abrupt end when he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot during the Giants' Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys. He was placed on injured reserve but has been cleared for New York's offseason workout program.
TE Theo Johnson in drills. He ended his rookie season on IR following foot surgery. pic.twitter.com/ah9PZXEBoh
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) May 28, 2025
Now, with the 2025 season quickly approaching, Johnson has been identified as a player to watch by Pro Football Focus. In fact, the analytics powerhouse has Johnson as their pick to be the NFL's most improved tight end this year.
"The hope is that Johnson can pick up from where he left off in the back half of the 2024 season and continue to grow into a secondary pass-catcher for the Giants," PFF's Thomas Valentine wrote. "Malik Nabers will naturally be the number one option on offense, but with a whole offseason under his belt, Johnson could become a real hit in 2025."
Johnson entered the NFL as a prospect who had starter's upside. Remember: he's the guy who kept this year's NFL Draft darling, Tyler Warren, on the bench during his college career with the Nittany Lions. That, at least, is something.
While Johnson certainly has the natural talent to hold down the New York Giants' starting tight end role for the foreseeable future, he must prove that his foot injury is behind him and that his development as a receiver hasn't been slowed.
The excitement around Theo Johnson's 2025 season is another layer of optimism that's surrounding the entire New York Giants' offense, which, if coach Brian Daboll can get that unit even up to an average level, will make Big Blue a much more formidable team than they're projected to be right now.
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