Giants Rookie Earns Attention at OTAs: ‘Clear Path’ to Starting Job

The New York Giants practiced once again on June 4 amid Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and fourth-round tight end Theo Johnson caught the attention of NYG team reporter Matt Citak.

“At the start of 11-on-11 drills, Tommy DeVito hit Theo Johnson for what would have been a first down,” Citak relayed. Continuing: “Speaking of Johnson, the rookie tight end made several impressive catches on Tuesday, including one in a tight window for what would have been a first down. Later in practice, Johnson caught a pass from Drew Lock up the seam for a 20+ yard gain.”

It’s not the first time the rookie TE has turned heads this spring with projected starter Darren Waller mulling retirement.

In fact, Pro Football Network analyst Anthony DiBona believes Johnson — not Daniel Bellinger or Jack Stoll, among others — could be the immediate beneficiary if Waller calls it quits.

“Theo Johnson now has a clear path to becoming TE1 in New York as a rookie,” DiBona stated on June 3 after the news that Waller is “expected” to retire. He added that “unless the Giants are really high on Daniel Bellinger, Johnson is their most talented TE.”

Theo Johnson Could Develop Into What Darren Waller Was Supposed to Be With Giants

When the Giants traded for Waller last offseason, the organization probably didn’t expect one subpar campaign and then a long, drawn-out decision on retirement. But here we are.

The best NFL franchises pivot when things go off the rails, and it appears the Giants have done a good job of that with the Johnson selection.