Russell Wilson
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Russell Wilson holds the key to success for a surprise breakout candidate for the New York Giants.
Establishing another credible pass-catcher next to star wide receiver Malik Nabers will be easier for the New York Giants and a surprise breakout candidate, thanks to Russell Wilson playing quarterback.
Second-year tight end Theo Johnson is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Wilson’s arrival, according to David Helman of Fox Sports. Helman believes Johnson “is a dude with far better speed and athleticism than his 264-pound frame might suggest, and he’s shown the ability to stretch the field down the seam.”
Those abilities rarely showed up during Johnson’s rookie season, when he snatched just 29 receptions, but things can be different thanks to Wilson’s recent history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Helman explained how “Pat Freiermuth led the Steelers in receptions last season, so I don’t think Wilson will struggle to get him the ball if he lives up to his rookie potential.”
This take is part of a series of growing expectations for Johnson. The former Penn State stud already turned heads during OTAs, but the Giants have another unheralded receiver who could fit Wilson’s talent for targeting tight ends.
Russell Wilson’s Arrival Good for Theo Johnson
Wilson’s underlying metrics as a passer aren’t good news for every Giants receiver, but it’s a different story for Johnson. He’s playing a position Wilson has leaned on throughout a career that’s taken in 10 trips to the Pro Bowl and winning a Super Bowl.
Steelers starter Pat Freiermuth isn’t the only tight end who became prolific in an offense with Wilson at the controls. Jimmy Graham was targeted 95 times and made 65 catches for the 2016 Seattle Seahawks, while Greg Dulcich, who joined the Giants last season, got 55 targets from Wilson for the 2022 Denver Broncos.
Those numbers bode well for Johnson, but the fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft still has a lot to prove. Specifically, Johnson looks someway off being in the same bracket as former five-time Pro Bowler Graham, or Freiermuth, who has tallied at least 60 catches three times in four seasons.
Johnson has things to work on, like his blocking, but making more explosive plays as a receiver is the 6-foot-6, 264-pounder’s priority. If he can’t, Johnson could lose out to Dulcich, incumbent Daniel Bellinger or to one of this year’s late-round picks.
Giants Have Another Potential Breakout Tight End
Seventh-round selection Thomas Fidone II has been putting together an exciting body of work this offseason. The oft-injured former Nebraska standout impressed at OTAs, and Fidone has continued his fine work at the team’s minicamp.
Fidone has been putting into practice the physical traits that make him a likely move-style, receiving tight end for Wilson. Namely, “Fidone has a WR background which shows up in his route tree. He plays Y tight end and is a willing blocker with an edge,” according to NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton.
Tearing his ACL twice prompted Fidone’s draft fall, but his fast start to life in the pros is good news for a Giants offense reliant on a viable threat at his position. As Kyle Crabbs of AtoZ Sports put it, “few teams run as much 11-personnel as Daboll’s Giants. They rank 8th in the personnel package usage since 2022. Having a tight end separate from the pack is essential to helping this offense round into form.”
Fortunately, the Giants aren’s short of candidates for this key role, but the increased competition means there’s no margin for error for Johnson meeting expectations.