Giants make tight end Theo Johnson 2nd Canadian taken at NFL draft in Detroit

Theo Johnson's NFL career will begin with the New York Giants.

New York selected the Penn State tight end with the seventh pick of the fourth round, No. 107 overall, in the NFL draft Saturday in Detroit.

Johnson became the second Canadian off the board. Isaiah Adams of Ajax, Ont., an offensive lineman at Illinois, was taken in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday.

Nineteen selections later, the Detroit Lions took tackle Giovanni Manu of the University of British Columbia in the fourth round. Manu was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows, B.C.

The six-foot-six, 260-pound Johnson of Windsor, Ont., appeared in 45 games over four seasons at Penn State, recording 77 catches for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Last season, he registered career highs in receptions (34), yards (341) and TDs (seven, tied for team lead) and was an honourable mention All-Big Ten selection.

After participating in the Senior Bowl, Johnson performed well at the NFL combine, posting a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-foot five inch broad jump -- all second-best results -- and a short-shuttle time of 4.19 seconds that topped the position group.

WATCH | Penn State tight end Johnson ready for NFL draft:

Johnson could fill a big need for the Giants with veteran tight end Darren Waller pondering retirement.

"He runs like a wide receiver, he ran 4.57 [at NFL combine] which is ridiculous time for a tight end," said Daniel Jeremiah, the NFL Network's draft guru. "I thought he aced the spring.

"From what we saw at the Senior Bowl, the all-star circuit, he was excellent there. Then the combine, pro day, you name it, that's where he really upped his stock."

Jeremiah had Johnson listed at No. 82 on his top-200 draft