Giants' fourth round pick in 2024 NFL Draft could've been the ultimate insurance policy for Darren Waller

The New York Giants picked Penn State tight end Theo Johnson with the 107th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft in the fourth round.

Johnson, a prototypical tight end, is an intriguing pick especially because of Darren Waller's status as he continues to ponder retirement. Ian Rapoport mentioned on NFL Network he's been mulling the decision since the end of the season and has yet to let the Giants know what his intentions are.

By picking a tight end in the fourth, the Giants get themselves quite the insurance policy, as Johnson is similar in many ways to Waller: He's great versus press coverage and is able to play through contact and win contested balls while still being able to be a quality in-line blocker.

On Sundays, he's likely to be a Y-tight end, as James Foster breaks down below in his scouting report. Foster ranked Johnson as his 91st best overall prospect, which means New York got a ton of value grabbing him at 107. 

Theo Johnson Scouting Report from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster

Strengths:

• Ideal size & build to play Y
• Soft hands, looks natural high-pointing inaccurate throws
• Uses weight displacement/subtle leans to set up his breaks
• Quick to sink his hips, turn, & uncover on stick routes
• Impressive strength & fluidity releasing vs. press
• Has the hips & foot-speed to separate out of breaks
• Unbothered by physical man coverage
• Willing run blocker, strong at the point of attack
• Accurate inside hand strikes
• Can recover & adjust blocking angles in open space

Weaknesses:

• Just 937 career receiving yards
• Late diagnosis of run blitzes. Allows free runners into the backfield
• Lacks creativity & elusiveness with the ball in his hands
• Footwork at the stem/break needs to be more precise
• Route speed tops out after initial burst
• Struggles to secure backside cutoffs
• Takes poor angles as a slice/insert blocker
• Occasional focus drops}