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Theo Johnson is a potential sleeper and value in 2024 fantasy football rookie drafts. Read the fantasy football outlook for the new Giants tight end.
DRAFT PICK: 4th Round (#107 Overall Pick)
TEAM: New York Giants
ROOKIE DRAFT ANALYSIS: If athletic testing was all that mattered for NFL prospects, Theo Johnson likely would have been a first-round pick. The former Penn State Nittany Lion had a historically great performance at the 2024 NFL Combine, posting "elite" speed and explosiveness grades and "great" size and agility scores.
For whatever reason, his off-the-charts athleticism didn't translate to earth-shattering production, but former fifth-round pick George Kittle had an eerily similar profile. That's not to say Johnson is going to turn into Kittle at some point in his career, but he's a comparable prospect in terms of athleticism and production in the Big Ten.
| Prospect | George Kittle (2017) | Theo Johnson (2024) |
| Draft Pick | 5.02 | 4.07 |
| Height | 6'4" | 6'6" |
| Weight | 247 | 259 |
| 40-Time | 4.52 | 4.57 |
| Vertical Jump | 39" | 39.5" |
| Broad Jump | 11' | 10'5" |
| College Rec. Yards | 737 | 938 |
| College TDs | 10 | 12 |
While landing in New York with quarterback Daniel Jones may scare some fantasy managers away, it's worth noting that Darren Waller is considering retirement, and Johnson can turn short receptions into big plays and act as a primary target in the red zone. Daniel Bellinger has failed to make a significant impact through his first 29 NFL games, and the team's decision to draft Johnson signals they'd like more upside at the position.
Outside of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, New York's pass-catching unit consisting of Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson leaves a lot to be desired. Projected starting running back Devin Singletary is nothing special in the receiving game either, so Johnson has a real opportunity to be one of Jones' favorite targets in Year 1.
Many fantasy managers look to take shots on a few high-upside tight ends late in drafts instead of paying up for studs like Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson. If that's your style, Johnson fits what you're looking for.
Touchdown @theo_Johnson_ 🙌@PennStateFball keeps it rolling pic.twitter.com/veZUfzV2nA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
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