Dec 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles safety K’Von Wallace (42) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants’ tight end room has been torn to shreds this offseason. Veteran playmaker Darren Waller announced his retirement earlier this offseason. Knowing that Waller’s departure was a legitimate possibility, the Giants spent a fourth-round pick on rookie tight end Theo Johnson. But it was recently announced that Johnson will begin training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
The remaining healthy tight ends on the roster are now Daniel Bellinger and a list of other inexperienced and reserve prospects. The Giants could recognize this potential weakness and look to add another tight end to the roster via free agency.
Which tight ends could the Giants target in free agency?
If the Giants want to add a tight end via free agency, they’ll have to pick through a small pool of options. However, among the few impactful free agents still available at the position are some intriguing veteran prospects.
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Former first-team All-Pro and 37-year-old tight end Jimmy Graham completed his 12th season in the NFL in 2023. While he’s not the same player he was when he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2013, Graham could still be a useful backup. He’s appeared in 13 games in 2023 and caught just six receptions but scored four touchdowns, indicating that Graham is still a weapon in the red zone with his 6-foot-7 basketball frame.
Geoff Swaim is another veteran tight end still available in free agency. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, totaling 10 receptions for 94 yards in 11 games. Swaim is a reliable veteran who adds something as a blocker, but would do little to replace the production of the injured Johnson for the Giants.
Other available free agents include Tyler Kroft, Blake Bell and Kenny Yeboah. All of these players could be signed to add depth to the Giants’ tight end room, but it’s difficult to predict whether any of them will make an impact during the regular season.
The Giants will likely have to make do with the talent they have
While the Giants’ cap space for tight ends is shrinking, it’s probably in the team’s best interest to stick with the talent they have. Being without Johnson at the start of training camp is unfortunate. And Waller’s retirement is disappointing for the team on many levels. But the Giants’ solution to this problem, unfortunately, doesn’t exist on the open market.
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The more likely solution for the Giants would likely be the development and subsequent emergence of third-year tight end Daniel Bellinger. The 2022 fourth-round pick was impressive as a rookie before suffering an eye injury that sidelined him for an extended period. But he made 11 starts as a rookie and put the ball in the end zone three times.
There’s no indication yet how long Johnson will be sidelined. But in the meantime, the Giants can probably get by just fine with Bellinger and a combination of Lawrence Cager, Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll behind him.
