Theo Johnson NFL Draft 2024: Combine Results, Scouting Report For New York GIants TE

NFL TRANSITION:

Johnson possesses the position versatility to be used in multiple personnel groups and schemes because of his ability to play attached and detached, especially in the slot and use in the red zone as matchup problem for opposing defenses. His ability to block allows him to be to be either a primary TE or secondary TE in multiple TE sets.

Very good blocker who plays under control with good technique at the point of attack while possessing the athleticism and movement skills to stay engaged. Big frame and catch radius allow him to make catches in traffic or over the middle of the field.

He is a long strider with deceptive vertical speed to allow him to attack the seams. He struggles to redirect laterally as a route runner due to his upright playing style limiting his separation out of sharper in and out-breaking routes. He has a good feel for defensive coverage schemes and finding voids when running his routes, especially over the middle down the seams.

Overall, Johnson is an all-around TE with noticeable upside potential, who has the ability to contribute as a run blocker and as a versatile pass catcher who can make plays from attached or detached alignment. Johnson can be a Year 1 contributor in multiple TE sets and eventually develop into a solid No. 1 TE.

OTHER NOTES:

Johnson came out of Canada as 4-star recruit and was ranked 61st in the National across all positions and ranked third at the TE position. Was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game prior to going to Penn State.

Started in 28 games over his last three seasons and was All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023. Finished his career with 77 receptions, 938 yards and 12 TDs (7 TDs in 2023). Tied for fourth in the National among TEs with 11 receiving TDs over the last two seasons.

In 2022, Johnson had very good alignment versatility with 71 routes run from an attached TE alignment with 76 routes run from a slot alignment and 33 routes run from an outside WR alignment, having most of his success catching the ball and production from an attached alignment (13 receptions for 168 yards and 3 TDs). He had some success from the slot with six receptions for 132 yards and 1 TD.

In 2023, Johnson again had very good alignment versatility. He had even more routes run from a detached alignment in the slot, with 121 routes and 13 receptions for 127 yards and 3 TDs, with 24 routes run from an outside alignment (151 routes detached from formation) and had 97 routes run from an attached alignment with 17 catches for 185 yards and 4 TDs.