Giants Could Surprisingly Dump This Player Before NFL Trade Deadline

We've talked a lot about whom the New York Giants could potentially acquire before Tuesday's 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline, but what about players they could move?

The Giants certainly have some names on their roster who appear to be on the outs, and they could draw interest of other teams before the deadline expires.

One such player is tight end Theo Johnson.

Over the first two years of his career, Johnson was attempting to establish himself as a key cog in New York's aerial attack, and it appeared to be working. At least somewhat.

Last season, Johnson hauled in 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns and had developed a clear rapport with Jaxson Dart.

Then, the Giants signed Isaiah Likely in free agency, putting Johnson's development on ice.

Through nine weeks this season, Johnson has logged just four catches for 55 yards and has only appeared in 33 percent of New York's offensive snaps.

Johnson has been relegated to a blocking role, and even Chris Manhertz is playing more than the third-year weapon. Thomas Fidone has been in the mix, as well.

At this point, it doesn't look like Johnson is ever going to cement himself as a regular piece in the Giants' offense, so they might as well try to move him.

There is a lot to like about Johnson. He has terrific size at 6-foot-6, 264 pounds, and he is a tremendous athlete for the position. He isn't a bad blocker, either.

But Johnson's stone hands gave him significant problems over his first couple of seasons, and they gave him issues once again throughout training camp.

It's looking more and more like Johnson will never be a truly reliable pass-catcher, and with Likely entrenched as New York's No. 1 tight end moving forward, the Giants probably wouldn't say no if another club came along and offered a decent Day 3 pick for Johnson.

Do I think New York would ship Johnson out for a seventh-rounder? No, but let's say a team in dire need of a tight end pitched a fifth-round pick to the Giants in exchange for the Penn State product. Could Big Blue turn it down?

I understand depth is important. Giants fans know that better than anyone considering all of the injuries that have befallen the roster in 2026. But given how limited New York's stash of draft capital is, it does make sense to dangle Johnson to see what's out there.