Is Daniel Bellinger or Theo Johnson the TE1 for the Giants?

June 17, 2024

Who will be the TE1 for the New York Giants in 2024? Lance Fernandez takes a look at the credentials of each candidate to see who is likely the lead tight end.

Darren Waller’s retirement left an opening for the New York Giants starting tight end position. The ceiling isn’t high after Waller finished with 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown last season. But as the 2024 NFL season draws near, there are two leading candidates to take over the TE1 spot.

First is Daniel Bellinger, the former San Diego State standout that the Giants selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Then there’s Theo Johnson, the Canadian tight end picked by the Giants in Round 4 of the 2024 draft.

But which of them will take over from Waller as the Giants’ primary tight end? And how much impact will they have in fantasy football for the 2024 NFL season?

Daniel Bellinger Fantasy Football Outlook

While Bellinger played five more games last season, he had more receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns during his rookie season (2022). However, an unimpressive total (30 catches, 268 yards, two touchdowns) would provide nothing more than a low-end TE2 value in fantasy football.

"I'm ready to take a step and do whatever they need me to do, and do it better"

- Daniel Bellinger pic.twitter.com/1HttM2xAmN

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 11, 2024

He can improve on his numbers with more playing time. However, that outcome will depend on whether he will do enough to please head coach Brian Daboll during training camp.

Theo Johnson Offers Fantastic Upside for Giants

Johnson's numbers at Penn State weren’t eye-popping. He had 77 receptions and 938 yards in four collegiate seasons. However, his performance steadily increased from 213 yards and a touchdown in 2021 to 34 receptions for 341 yards in 2023.

Theo Johnson gettin’ after it pic.twitter.com/VpHJx0YJcy

— New York Giants (@Giants) May 31, 2024

His game is also trending up, as proven by his seven touchdown catches last year. Getting confidence from Daboll and the Giants’ offensive coaches could continue his improvement as he commences his NFL career.

Who Between Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson will Start for the Giants?

Conventional wisdom has it that starting roles go to the more experienced players. However, Bellinger hasn’t dazzled in his first two seasons with the Giants. Therefore, the competition for the Giants’ TE1 spot will be close. Eventually, Johnson will win the role because of the upside. He could get better with more coaching and help the Giants compete.

Regardless of who wins this duel, Bellinger and Johnson offer little to no value in fantasy football. Monitoring their early-season production is a good process, but both players are being selected outside the top 32 tight ends, and it won't be surprising if neither becomes fantasy-relevant in 2024.

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