The New York Giants attempted to significantly upgrade their tight end room in 2023 when Joe Schoen traded the 99th overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Darren Waller. On paper, giving Daniel Jones an explosive weapon made sense. In reality, Waller’s tenuous desire to continue playing football resulted in an abbreviated stint in New York, culminating in an early retirement after posting 52 catches on 72 targets for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller would later return to the NFL with the Miami
Dolphins in 2025.
Schoen was ecstatic during the 2024 NFL Draft when Penn State tight end Theo Johnson slid to the fourth round. Johnson quickly assumed the TE1 role and has occupied it whenever his health has allowed. That same offseason, Schoen and the Giants placed a clear emphasis on fortifying the tight end room after the lack of depth behind Waller and Daniel Bellinger in 2023 became glaringly apparent.
The issue notably hamstrung Brian Daboll’s personnel packages, particularly in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, when Bellinger was injured on the opening drive. Schoen added veteran blocking ace Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll during the off-season, the latter of which failed to make the roster. Lawrence Cager, a Daboll favorite who played wide receiver in college, was hurt in training camp and missed most of the 2024 season.
New York entered the 2025 season with a tight end group that offered upside and functional veteran depth but lacked true top-end talent. The Giants were hoping for a significant leap from Johnson. They received flashes of growth, but inconsistency and frustration remain defining traits for the 24-year-old tight end, despite his blocking ability and occasional impact plays.
2025 season in review
Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Thomas Fidone II, Zach Davidson
Johnson logged 872 snaps for the Giants in 2025. His 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame gave New York a legitimate in-line blocking presence, allowing the offense to run DUO concepts that place the tight end in one-on-one situations against the end man on the line of scrimmage — a specialty of Chris Manhertz. Daniel Bellinger can handle those responsibilities if necessary, though he is far more effective as a move blocker.
After a rookie season shortened by a broken foot, Johnson flashed and took a step forward in 2025. He finished the year with 45 receptions on 72 targets for 528 yards and five touchdowns, securing 12 of 19 contested targets (63.2%) and giving Jaxson Dart a large target working up the seam. Still, despite several high-level plays, Johnson’s seven drops — some of them glaring — remain the moments most often associated with his season.
Johnson has to clean up his drops and improve his concentration ability. He’s still a work in progress as a route runner as well; he tested through the roof at the combine, but he doesn’t play at that speed. Overall, Theo Johnson is still frustrating, but his ceiling remains very high, and he could take a BIG leap under John Harbaugh and his tight end coach, Tim Kelly, who is remaining on staff.
Daniel Bellinger provided the Giants with valuable flexibility at the position, operating as a fullback in makeshift 21 personnel packages while also contributing 166 snaps on special teams. He caught 19 of 26 passes for 286 yards with two touchdowns, including an impressive screen that he took to the house in the Giants’ Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Bellinger’s catch rate dipped to a career low 73.1%, and he failed to come down with a couple of passes that he’d probably want back, although PFF only has him with one drop. Still, Bellinger is a valuable and underrated asset for the Giants. A quality tight end who loses slow enough as a blocker and is reliable as a receiver. 2025 was the final year of his rookie contract, and he’s set to hit free agency.
Chris Manhertz received two targets and caught one of them for seven yards. His second target was a trick play in Week 18 that would have been an easy touchdown if Gunner Olszewski hadn’t thrown a terrible football. Manhertz, though, is on the roster for his brute blocking. The 33-year-old gives the Giants a physical 12/13 personnel package.
According to PFF, of tight ends who played at least 20% of their team’s plays, Manhertz ranked 14th highest in run blocking. He’s physical and, reportedly, a quality leader. I’ve long been a fan, but I would love to see him stay and operate under Harbaugh.
Thomas Fidone II was drafted by the Giants in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He saw 14 total offensive plays and received zero targets during the regular season. He played 80 snaps on special teams. Fidone II did flash during preseason and could maneuver his way into a role depending on what the Giants do in free agency, and the future of Bellinger and Manhertz. Zach Davidson signed with the Giants late in the season and played a handful of snaps against the Raiders in Week 17.
Grade: C+
2026 outlook
The Giants will hope for a massive year three jump from Johnson, who missed the final two games of the season with an infection. Johnson MUST be a more reliable player. He has to limit the drops and, hopefully, become a bit quicker in and out of his breaks. I like Theo Johnson and understand his potential, but he hasn’t demonstrated enough to not challenge him for the tight end one role.
If Todd Monken is the Giants’ offensive coordinator, New York could lean heavily into creative 12- and 13-personnel packages. Baltimore Ravens tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are both set to hit free agency and are names worth monitoring.
Social media rumors have suggested that Likely was pleased to see John Harbaugh leave Baltimore, which — if true — could make him less inclined to follow Harbaugh to New York. That said, those reports remain unverified. From a football standpoint, Likely fits exactly what the Giants could use at the position and has familiarity with both the Harbaugh approach and Monken’s offensive system, assuming Monken does indeed arrive in New York.
Regardless, both Likely and Kolar should be on the Giants’ radar during this free agency cycle. I am also interested in retaining Bellinger and Manhertz. Both should be cheap additions, and their work ethic and physicality fit what Harbaugh is looking to establish. Bellinger could also operate as a fullback, which could allow the Giants to steal an extra roster spot by having a tight end occupy that role.
There are intriguing tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Giants are not in a position to spend one of their two top-100 picks at the position. If I’m betting on the outcome, New York instead looks more likely to sign Charlie Kolar to a modest deal, add competition for Fidone II, and retain one of Daniel Bellinger or Chris Manhertz. Ultimately, the 2026 outlook at tight end will still rest on the broad shoulders of Theo Johnson, who must take a meaningful step forward and develop reliable consistency in his third season.
