Giants 2024 ERFA Primer: LB Dyontae Johnson

Should the Giants bring ILB Dyontae Johnson back for another training camp?

Brandon Olsen | Feb 2, 2025

Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54) celebrates a tackle with cornerback Adoree' Jackson (21) and linebacker Darius Muasau (53) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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New York Giants

New York Giants inside linebacker Dyonte Johnson looked like he was well on his way to earning a roster spot last summer until an ankle injury landed him on injured reserve for most of the 2024 campaign.

Having recovered from that injury and now facing free agency–he’ll be an exclusive rights free agent–is it worth it for the Giants to bring him back?

Dyontae Johnson, Linebacker

Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs
Age: 24
NFL Exp.: 1 Year
College: Toledo

Dyontae Johnson signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. After spending the 2023 season on the Giants practice squad, he made the Giants 53-man roster but spent most of the season on injured reserve.

Johnson’s 2023 season was uneventful the year before. He spent the entire season on the Giants' practice squad. He spent the preseason playing almost exclusively as an off-ball linebacker, with sporadic snaps downplaying off the edge.

Jul 24, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54) participates in drills during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Facility. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

2024 Season Recap

Before that, one of Johnson's best traits, which made him a perfect fit for Shane Bowen's defensive schemes, was his coverage abilities.

Bowen’s favorite coverage to play with the Titans was quarters, requiring linebackers to cover more range than any other coverage call underneath.

That's the scheme Johnson mostly played at Toledo. In his five seasons, he allowed 9.3 yards per reception and finished with a 102.4 coverage rating, both of which weren't bad.

Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain put a premature end to what had been an impressive summer for Johnson, though he did eventually geJohnson's impressive summer.

He eventually got a chance to return to action late in the season when Bobby Okereke landed on IR, and Micah McFadden missed time with a neck ailment.

Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Corral (2) tries to get past New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. / John Jones-Imagn Images

Why the Giants Should Keep Him

Johnson didn't put forth the large sample size, but what he did in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles confirmed that what we saw from him in the summer wasn't a mirage.

In that extended Week 18 action against the Eagles, Jonson received enough rotational snaps at inside linebacker to finish as the team leader in tackles with 11.

While he showed flashes of playmaking ability, he also badly missed some reads and assignments, likely due to being away from the game for so long.

Johnson played tough and with physicality, and he moved well in space, showing just enough to whet the appetite of a coaching staff in dire need of playmakers.

That he is an exclusive rights free agent means it won't cost the team much to keep him.

Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Shi Smith (12) catches the ball in front of New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Why the Giants Shouldn’t Keep Him

The best ability is availability, and Johnson was unavailable until the end of the season and should be replaceable late in the draft or undrafted free agency.

Potential Replacements If He Doesn’t Return

Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; (Editor's note- language on the receiver's wrist) Houston Texans linebacker Garrett Wallow (32) receives a stiff arm while making a tackle against Dallas Cowboys receiver Reggie Davis (16). / Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Free Agency: Garrett Wallow, Tennessee

Wallow played three games for Bowen in Tennessee during the 2023 season after being signed off the Texans practice squad, so there is some familiarity with what Bowen runs.

Wallow, who missed the 2024 season with a pectoral injury suffered in training camp, would need to be checked out physically. He would probably come at a reasonable price tag, and he can also give the Giants special teams snaps.

We don't think the Giants would necessarily benefit from replacing Johnson with a draft pick, as the price tag would probably not be that great of a difference.

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) is taken down by New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson (54), Thursday, August 8 2024, in East Rutherford. / Kevin R. Wexler / NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Keep or Dump?

The Giants should keep Johnson to retain an inexpensive, young player familiar with the defensive system and should be a special teams contributor in 2025.