In theory, the Giants were prepared to deal with the retirement of tight end Darren Waller.
Daniel Bellinger, who started 11 games as a rookie in 2022 before Waller arrived, could quickly return to the starting spot as a better player as he was learning new route-running tips as a replacement for the Pro Bowler. could have been done.
Or rookie fourth-round draft pick Theo Johnson (whom the Giants spent extra time with before the draft because Waller gave him a polite heads-up in January that he was considering retirement). He could have filled the void left when Waller hung up his boots. In June.
However, the duo entered Thursday's night game against the Cowboys with just four catches for 51 yards.
None of the Giants' other tight ends had a catch through three games, meaning tight ends scored fewer points in the passing game than any other team.
“We play a certain style every week,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “Their job is to do a good job in the run game. In terms of them staying in to protect, they're doing a good job of that. I think it's a tough group. I'm happy with them. ”
In the first three games, the Giants have shifted the position from No. 1 pass catcher (the vision they had when they traded for Waller in March 2023) to primarily players, whether Johnson (81.9 percent of offensive snaps) or not. He was converted to a sixth (or sixth and seventh) offensive lineman. ) or nine-year veteran Chris Manhertz (36.6 percent) was on the field.
Last week, a pass for a touchdown slipped through Johnson's outstretched hand. Manhertz wasn't targeted on 73 snaps, but he helped the Giants average 4.2 yards per carry.
“I think this reaffirms what we already know is the ability,” Manhertz said after the offense scored three touchdowns in back-to-back games. “Fight head-on” [the Browns] It gave us a good challenge to kind of give back. ”
Bellinger's role had declined to its lowest point in three years (23.1 percent of snaps).
Lawrence Cager, a converted receiver who shined as a pass catcher the last two years with the Giants, was waived after training camp, re-signed to the practice squad and is currently on injured reserve.
Tight end/fullback Jacob Johnson and Joel Wilson are also on the practice squad.
Getting more done at tight end would be one way to ease the burden on Malik Nabors, who had an NFL-high 38 percent target share through the first three games of his career.
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“If we have to switch, we will,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka said.
Nabors and teammate Wan'Dale Robinson are two of the four most targeted receivers in the NFL (22 times each), playing routes shallower than 10 yards downfield (tight ends create mismatches). possible major depth).
“I think we have a lot of confidence in them,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “Every game is going to play out a little bit different in terms of defensive moves, and sometimes things just work out that way, but they had a great training camp and that's a big boost for us. I am confident that he will perform well.”
