Daboll Reveals Update on Giants Rookie TE Johnson

The New York Giants have experienced some turbulence at tight end this offseason.

Darren Waller’s potential retirement loomed large for a passing offense that recently expected him to be a force up the seam. That never came to fruition in New York, and the team acted to mitigate his loss before his paperwork was filed.

In the fourth round, the Giants drafted tight end Theo Johnson, who shares the kind of upside and frame that made Waller enticing as a pass catcher.

New York hopes it can turn an early Day 3 pick into a long-term fix at the position, but transitioning to the NFL is an arduous process for tight ends – something a minor hip injury didn’t make any easier.

Ahead of Wednesday’s joint practice with the New York Jets, Giants head coach Brian Daboll spoke about his progress this summer.

“Much like all the rookies, I would say, they're continuing to learn how we do things,” Brian Daboll said. “They're playing faster… They're playing faster. When you know what to do, you're allowed to do that. Plus, he's big, he's fast and he hasn't made a lot of mental errors for a rookie. We've lined him up in multiple spots and he's been productive with the opportunities that he's had.”

Perhaps most important to his immediate playing time is his ability to block effectively. Despite his size, Johnson entered the league as an unrefined blocker, particularly against high-level competition. Rather than playing him frequently in the slot, Johnson has spent significant time as the in-line tight end in the preseason.

The results haven’t been particularly exciting. The blocking has been mediocre and he’s logged just one reception for four yards through two preseason games.

Related: What Did Giants Fans Learn About Johnson in Preseason Debut?

Even so, it’s clear New York cares about developing his game in a more well-rounded fashion, as to not give run-pass tells and increase his versatility. If both he and expected starter Daniel Bellinger can bounce between being the in-line tight end and a viable slot receiver, the offense can retain some additional flexibility.

Given New York’s trio of entrenched starters, including receiver Wan’Dale Robinson’s presence in the slot, Johnson’s in-line role may be what gets him on the field. The track he’s been on, his athletic upside, and the impressions he’s left on the coaching staff lend themselves to legitimate playing time as a rookie, even if he’s not the clear-cut starter.