In year two, Giants tight end Theo Johnson is a prime breakout candidate in New York under Brian Daboll, hopefully fully healthy as the starter. While phenom Malik Nabers is the top target, there will be way more attention on him this season. Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Jalin Hyatt round out the receiving corps, as there are targets to be had in this offense.
With at least three different new quarterbacks entering the fold, that will make things interesting in terms of target share, as Nabers dominated while Robinson was the target sponge underneath. But things could change, depending on whether Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, or Jameis Winston start.
Brock Bowers for the Las Vegas Raiders had an all-time season as a rookie, while players like Johnson and Ja’Tavion Sanders for the Carolina Panthers were the next most involved among year two tight ends. However, neither were starters to begin the year and dealt with injuries. Theo was backing up Daniel Bellinger, who is now the backup in New York, while Ja’Tavion is currently still the backup to Tommy Tremble (who has been dealing with an injury this offseason already).
Both are stepping into starting roles this season, but Johnson could be the favorite to have a better season (just off of games missed) and has more upside in this newly made Giants offense.
Theo Johnson is a Prime Breakout Candidate
Bellinger was reverted to the backup role, as Johnson is slated to be the starter on paper. But now fully healthy, coming off his Lisfranc injury, he hopes to make an impact right away and pick off where he left off. From Weeks 5-13, he only had one week where he didn’t see any targets. Other than that, Johnson averaged at least three targets and about 30 to 50-plus yards each week besides Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
It is surprising Daboll wanted to incorporate the former fourth-rounder last year from Penn State, as his athletic ability and traits are off the charts. He is what he wanted out of a Darren Waller in this offense, before that whole saga blew up (at least they got a draft pick for him from the Miami Dolphins).
Still, Waller, in his one year in New York, had 52 catches, 552 yards, and a touchdown in 2023 despite being a disappointment on the field and off (due to injuries), with that trade not panning out with the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately. However, drafting Johnson the year after gave them an out on the veteran tight end at 32 years old.
Theo had 29 catches out of 43 targets in 12 games, with 331 yards and a touchdown. That was still second out of the rookie tight ends last year, even over Sanders, who did play in 16 games ( avoided a serious neck injury).
Dart is the wildcard if he gets a start eventually, as his target distribution is unknown. However, young quarterbacks do like throwing to a tight end as a check-down option. That could be Johnson in this offense, as Daboll would love a fast tight end down the seam his rookie can throw to, as he will likely see single coverage often (with attention to Nabers).
Based on Russ and his history, he would prefer outside options, while Jameis throws all over the place, but recently, he had an elite athletic tight end like David Njoku to throw to. In Cleveland, Njoku went off and had at least five catches besides two games with Winston under center. That could be Theo, but at a discount, at least fantasy-wise, as this offense may not be as pass-heavy as the Browns’ last year but will open it up more with their quarterback upgrades in 2025.
