Giants Tight End Room: A Work in Progress with High-Stakes Potential in 2026
When the New York Giants traded the 99th overall pick to the Raiders in 2023 for Darren Waller, it looked like a calculated swing to give Daniel Jones the kind of explosive weapon that could elevate the offense. But as we now know, Waller’s time in New York was short-lived.
He flirted with retirement, delivered a modest 52-catch season, and eventually walked away-only to return in 2025 with the Miami Dolphins. The Giants were left holding the bag, and GM Joe Schoen knew changes had to be made.
Fast forward to the 2024 NFL Draft, and Schoen found himself grinning when Penn State’s Theo Johnson slid into the fourth round. The Giants pounced, and Johnson quickly climbed to the top of the depth chart.
The team had seen enough in 2023 to know they needed more depth and versatility at tight end-especially after a Week 4 game against Seattle where Daniel Bellinger went down early, and the offense scrambled to adjust. That offseason, Schoen brought in veteran blocker Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll, though the latter didn’t make the final roster.
Lawrence Cager, a hybrid wide receiver/tight end and a Brian Daboll favorite, was sidelined for most of the year with a training camp injury.
By the time the 2025 season kicked off, the Giants had a tight end group that offered some upside and veteran stability, but still lacked a true game-changer. They were banking on a second-year leap from Johnson-and while they got flashes, they also got a fair share of frustration.
2025 Season Recap: The Good, The Bad, and The Drops
Theo Johnson logged 872 offensive snaps, a clear sign the Giants were committed to giving him every opportunity to grow into the TE1 role. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Johnson brought the kind of size and in-line blocking ability that gave the offense flexibility to run power concepts like DUO, where the tight end is asked to hold his own against edge defenders. That’s typically Chris Manhertz’s specialty, but Johnson proved capable in that area.
Statistically, Johnson posted 45 receptions on 72 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns. He was especially effective in contested situations, pulling in 12 of 19 such targets-a solid 63.2% rate. He gave rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart a big target up the seam and showed flashes of the athleticism that made him a combine standout.
But here’s the rub: Johnson dropped seven passes, and a few of them were brutal. Concentration lapses and inconsistent route running continue to hold him back.
He’s got all the physical tools, but he’s not playing at the speed he tested at. The upside is still tantalizing, but the Giants need more than potential-they need production.
With John Harbaugh now in charge and tight ends coach Tim Kelly staying on staff, there’s hope that Johnson can finally put it all together in Year 3.
Daniel Bellinger, meanwhile, continued to be the Swiss Army knife of the group. He lined up as a fullback in makeshift 21 personnel looks and logged 166 special teams snaps. As a receiver, he caught 19 of 26 targets for 286 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight-reel screen he took to the house in a Week 18 win over Dallas.
While his catch rate dipped to a career-low 73.1%, and he missed a couple of makeable plays, Bellinger remains a valuable piece. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable-a solid blocker, a willing special teamer, and a guy who can fill multiple roles. With his rookie contract now expired, he’s heading into free agency, and the Giants will have to decide whether to keep him in the fold.
Chris Manhertz wasn’t brought in to catch passes-he was brought in to move bodies. He did just that, ranking 14th among tight ends in run blocking (per PFF) among those who played at least 20% of snaps.
He caught one of two targets for seven yards, with the other being a botched trick play that could’ve been a touchdown if the throw had been better. At 33, Manhertz still brings value as a physical presence and locker-room leader.
He fits the Harbaugh mold perfectly.
Thomas Fidone II, a seventh-round rookie, saw limited offensive action-just 14 snaps with no targets-but played 80 snaps on special teams. He showed some promise in the preseason, and depending on how free agency shakes out, he could carve out a role in 2026. Zach Davidson joined late in the year and made a brief appearance in Week 17 against the Raiders.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and the Pressure on Theo Johnson
The Giants’ tight end room in 2026 will revolve around one big question: Can Theo Johnson make the leap?
He missed the final two games of 2025 with an infection, but the bigger concern is his consistency. The physical traits are there.
The flashes are there. But the drops and lack of route refinement are holding him back.
If the Giants are going to take a step forward offensively, they need Johnson to be more than just a tease. They need him to be reliable.
If Todd Monken ends up as the offensive coordinator, expect more creative 12- and 13-personnel packages. That could open the door for a tight end-friendly scheme-assuming Johnson can capitalize.
Names like Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, both pending free agents from Baltimore, should be on the radar. Both have experience in Monken’s system and could provide the kind of pass-catching presence the Giants are lacking.
Whether they’d want to follow Harbaugh to New York remains to be seen, but from a football standpoint, they make sense.
Internally, the Giants may look to retain Bellinger and Manhertz. Neither will break the bank, and both bring toughness, versatility, and a team-first mentality. Bellinger’s ability to double as a fullback could even allow the Giants to carry one fewer player at that position.
There are some intriguing tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft, but with only two picks in the top 100, it’s unlikely the Giants invest premium capital there. A more realistic scenario? Sign someone like Kolar on a modest deal, bring in competition for Fidone II, and re-sign one of Bellinger or Manhertz.
But make no mistake-this group’s ceiling in 2026 hinges on Theo Johnson. If he can clean up the drops, sharpen his routes, and play to his athletic profile, the Giants may finally have the tight end they’ve been searching for since the Waller experiment fizzled out. If not, they’ll be right back where they started: looking for answers at a position that remains critical in today’s NFL.