The 2024 NFL draft appears especially high at the top, boasting nice depth on both day one and day two of the class come April. The tight end class in 2024 is a pretty interesting one, highlighted by an arguably generational talent in Brock Bowers (Georgia). After Bowers, however, there is less certainty.
Most people have Ja’Tavion Sanders penciled into the second spot after Bowers but there is almost no clarity for who the third tight end off of the board might be. One name that was circulating a ton during the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl week was former Penn State standout Theo Johnson, who was one of the big winners at the event.
It started with a weigh-in that was phenomenal. From a physical perspective, you just aren’t going to find many tight ends who are more impressive than Johnson. He came in at 6’6” and 257 pounds, with an 81 ¼” wingspan and 10-inch hands. That is how you draw it up at the position.
Johnson proceeded to be largely considered the top performer at the position in attendance. He was smooth in drills, flashing straight-line speed and that massive catch radius. Add in his development upside as a blocker, and you have a player who could be a much better pro than what he was in college.
Coming out of the event, there is some major buzz around Johnson. He is anticipated to potentially run in the high 4.4s in the forty-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, which should solidify his placement in this class. Some sources believe that Johnson has already solidified himself as the third tight end in the 2024 class. Others believe that it is possible that he could end up being the second player off the board after Bowers.
There is projection needed with Johnson, but the NFL has shown that it is willing to bank on the upside and gamble. If developed properly, Johnson’s placement could legitimize that gamble in the relatively near future.
