Giants' fourth-round selection may hint at Darren Waller's future

Although Giants GM Joe Schoen told reporters on Friday that he hadn't received an update on Darren Waller's status for this season, his fourth-round selection suggests he knows what the tight end will decide. 

With Waller, acquired via trade with Las Vegas last offseason, contemplating retirement, the Giants added tight end insurance by selecting Penn State's Theo Johnson, the 107th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Despite having limited production at Penn State, Johnson — who caught 34 passes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns last season — is an intriguing prospect for the Giants to develop. Due to his massive 6-foot-6, 259-pound frame and standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson scored a 9.93 Relative Athletic Score out of 10, per Kent Lee Platte. For reference, Johnson's score ranks ninth among 1,141 tight ends who have tested at the combine since 1987.

Additionally, Penn State quarterbacks have had a 146.6 passer rating throwing to Johnson since 2022, the highest mark when targeting a Big Ten tight end in that span, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Johnson is New York's latest addition to its tight end room this offseason, as the team signed veterans Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll during free agency. However, it's hard to imagine Manhertz and Stoll will be anything more than depth pieces for the Giants, considering they each signed one-year deals. Even so, with Johnson in the mix and New York having a solid backup tight end in 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger, the team is in good shape if Waller retires. 

Nonetheless, it would be disappointing if Waller retired after racking up just 552 yards and one touchdown in 12 games with the Giants, especially since the team traded a 2023 third-round pick to acquire him. But if he's not fully committed to playing, New York might be better off without him, regardless of Waller being one of the more dynamic talents at the position when healthy.

If Waller decides to retire, he'll finish his NFL career with 350 receptions, 4,124 receiving yards, 20 touchdowns and one Pro Bowl appearance across eight seasons.