The Giants drafted Theo Johnson a year ago, but could they look to add from this draft class?
The New York Giants drafted Theo Johnson in Round 4 a season ago, and he showed all-around promise as a tight end before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury.
They still have Daniel Bellinger. The 2022 fourth-round pick is a good, perhaps under-utilized or under-appreciated player.
Chris Manhertz is one of the best veteran blocking tight ends in the game. Greg Dulcich provides depth, and perhaps untapped upside.
Could the Giants, though, benefit from using draft resources at tight end? Or, should they just ride with what they have and see how Johnson develops?
In a mock draft for Big Blue View, freelance draft analyst Doug Farrar made an interesting — if highly unlikely — pick for the Giants at No. 34 in Round 2. He selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. While Farrar admitted the far-fetched nature of the pick, he did refer to what he sees as “a thin tight end depth chart” for the Giants.
If that is the case, how could the Giants add to it in the 2025 NFL Draft? Below are some Day 2 or Day 3 options.
Additions: None
Losses: None
Roster: Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Greg Dulcich
Draft need: Depth (late rounds) … Unless a play-making “value” pick is available, perhaps in Round 4 (pick No. 105)
Day 2
Elijah Arroyo, Miami — Dane Brugler of The Athletic gives Arroyo a Round 2 grade in his draft guide and says the 6’5¾, 254-pound Arroyo “can bring an immediate vertical element to an ofense with his speed, fluidity and focused ball skills. He is easy to project as an NFL starter and a weapon for which defenses must account.”
Matt Waldman of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio wrote in his draft guide that Arroyo has “massive upside” and “will be the eye candy of this tight end class.”
Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green — Brugler has a Round 3 grade on the 6’3, 241-pound Fannin, who caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards last season. Fannin is still only 20 years old. Brugler says:
Fannin is at his best as a pass catcher and shows a unique feel for creating as a ball carrier. He is still very young — and it shows, especially in his blocking and route running. Overall, Fannin is somewhat of an unconventional prospect. He is awkwardly athletic with stiff, restricting movements, but he plays with straight-line explosiveness, outstanding tracking skills and threatening run-after-catch ability. He fits best as a hybrid H or F tight end and offers three-down potential.
Terrance Ferguson, Oregon — Manhertz is a short-term option and Daniel Bellinger is in the finanl year of his contract. Ferguson could grow into an all-around option at tight end. Brugler has a Day 2 grade on him “there isn’t much about his game that screams “exceptional,” but Ferguson is solid across the board and should continue to ascend.”
Day 3
Gunner Helm, Texas — Waldman says “Helm has the budding skills for a long NFL career as an on-field contributor, but unlikely as a long-term starter. He’s good at a lot of things, but nothing about him as an athlete, blocker, route runner, receiver, or ball carrier makes him a mismatch against defenses.”
Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska — This is a player Waldman is higher on than most. Waldman says “there’s skill and versatility with his game that his injuries, program, and the buzz of other talents in this rich class have covered up.”
Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse — For me, Gadsden would be a pure late-round flier on a player who might become a pass-catching weapon. Maybe he is Lawrence Cager. Brugler says “Gadsden is an athletic pass catcher with the adjustment skills and catch radius to be a possession target in an NFL ofense, although his average frame and marginal ability to sustain blocks create questions about his role.”