Giants select Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in 4th round

Former Penn State tight end Theo Johnson raised his NFL stock considerably during the combine in Indianapolis, and his efforts paid off Saturday when he was selected in the fourth round (107th overall) by the New York Giants.

The Giants are getting a 6-foot-6, 260-pound athlete who can catch. Penn State used him as a slot receiver for nearly half of his snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen calls Johnson “largely an excellent blocker” and “an active blocker no matter the assignment.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper said “talent is in abundance,” but he added Johnson lacks consistency.

“Both as a guy who is not the threat he should be every week catching the football, or as a blocker,” he said. “He just couldn’t put it together to the level to be a higher pick, but he had first-round talent on paper.”

Added ESPN’s Louis Riddick, “He didn’t live up to those measureables on a consistent basis and that’s why you’re down here (in the fourth round). He has to understand that and the Giants will try to pull it out of him.”

Johnson finished either first or second among tight ends in all major categories at the combine, including the fastest shuttle run time (4.19 seconds). He also ran a 4.57-second 40, reached 39 feet, 5 inches in the vertical jump and recorded a 10-5 broad jump. During the football drills, he had the advantage of catching passes from former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley.

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Johnson was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and media. He finished with 12 career touchdown receptions (seven last year), which is tied for 16th all-time at Penn State and third among Nittany Lions tight ends. In 44 games (29 starts) in four seasons, he caught 77 passes for 938 yards.