New York Giants Draft Prospect: TE Theo Johnson

The Giants could use some tight end depth, possibly even on Day 3. Here's one potential fit for that position.

Theo Johnson, TE

Height: 6’6
Weight: 257 lbs.
Hands: 10”
Arms: 32”
Wingspan: 81”
Class: Junior
School: Penn State
Stats

A former four-star recruit out of Holy Names High School in Windsor, Ontario (Canada), where he was the first Canadian-ranked prospect and the third tight end in the 2020 recruiting class. Johnson was voted All-Big-10 honorable mention in 2023 and was on the Mackey Award watch list.  

Johnson attended the Reese’s Senior Bowl and did not disappoint. His size and speed combination display the immense potential that he possesses. Still, his skills in the role with the Penn State offense weren’t as featured as they would have been in other situations. Johnson only had 100 targets through four seasons (1,740) total snaps.

Strengths

• Good combination of size and speed
• Quick release off the LOS - super quick feet
• Great juke move, agile, very smooth player
• Very good change of direction
• Explosive athlete with separation skills/acceleration
• Kid got scooter, has wiggle
• Deceptive stemmer - manipulator!
• Leans, stick & nod, explosive
• Body control, crafty route runner
• Understands leverage and how to manipulate it through routes vs. man & zone
• Hands vs. Press (Q4 2:03, 3rd & 7 v. Michigan; Indiana, Q3 8:44 2nd&8, TD up seam)
• Great awareness as route runner on vertical
• Soft hands - extends away from his frame, an effortless catcher
• Very good concentration when high pointing the football
• Natural ball skills, gets up field quickly for YAC
• Does well to protect football into contact, falls forward
• TE screens & PA Slide weapon (Ways he was used by Penn State)
• Big bodied red zone threat
• Functional bloker who can play on all three downs
• Technically sound blocker (angles, hands/feet, square to target)
• Tight hands and active feet in the blocking phase - annoying
• Can dip low into contact on angled blocks, good angles of pursuit
• Flexible to get low and drive through opponents
• Good job blocking on the move
• Versatile - can play Y, H, and with potential to operate as Fullback in certain offenses
• Elite competitive toughness

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Weaknesses

• Falls forward through contact but doesn’t have play strength to break tackles consistently
• Functional blocker, but with modest play strength at the point of attack
• Wasn’t very productive in college

Summary

Theo Johnson has an above-average blend of size and speed for an NFL tight end. He has a ton of potential with not a lot of college production to substantiate his talent. He can play in any system and is a functional blocker that is technically sound, albeit not dominating. His play strength won’t be an issue, but it won’t be a true asset either. 

However, his ability to deceptively run routes and disguise his breaks will lead to more separation; that, coupled with his natural hands and ability to extend away from his frame, should provide wider throwing windows for quarterbacks at the next level. Johnson should be productive early in his career and can carve out a role on any offense.

GRADE: 6.43

Nick Falato

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