CLEVELAND — Even with the Giants selecting Theo Johnson in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, and even with the signing of veteran Chris Manhertz, it figured that Daniel Bellinger would maintain a role as a tight end within the offense.
Why not?
Bellinger in his 29 games the past two seasons compiled 55 receptions and developed into an improving in-line blocker.
Johnson is a promising pass-catcher prospect, but he is a rookie, and Manhertz operates more like an offensive lineman than a tight end.
There was every reason to believe Bellinger would be a part of the game plan this season.
In the season-opening loss to the Vikings, Bellinger played 16 of the 71 snaps on offense.
In last week’s 21-18 loss to the Commanders, Bellinger was on the field for just four of the 56 snaps on offense.
“That’s not up to me,’’ Bellinger told The Post. “I’m just going to do the best job I can and do whatever they ask me to do and whatever they need me to do to help the team win, whatever that is. It is what it is. It’s not much in my control, just do what I can and control what I can control.’’
A 2022 fourth-round pick of the Joe Schoen regime, Bellinger, 23, said he did not get any heads-up that he would be used sparingly in Week 2.
“My focus is just on what I can do to help us win, and I wasn’t thinking too much about it,’’ he said.
Coach Brian Daboll explained the tight end usage last week as a byproduct of a specific plan of attack that called for blocking, first and foremost.
Johnson played 44 snaps and did not have a single target.
Manhertz in 26 snaps was also not targeted.
For Sunday’s game against the Browns, Bellinger does not know how much time he will get on the field.
“I’m not sure if I will get more or less,’’ Bellinger said. “Either way, just got to be ready. I think there will be opportunities. I think I can help the offense any way they need me to.’’
Jamie Gillan is a punter by trade.
He grew up in Scotland playing soccer and rugby, and was a punter and place kicker at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
In an emergency situation last season, he hit a 40-yard field goal.
When Graham Gano went down early last week, Gillan was called on again, and he missed his first, and only, extra-point attempt.
Daboll clearly did not trust him after that.
“I should’ve made that first one, for sure,’’ Gillan told The Post. “That’s a kick I need to make. Even though it’s not a part of my job, because I’m a punter, it is a part of my job because I’m part of the team. It’s up to me to step up and do that.’’
CB Nick McCloud (knee) did not travel with the team and will miss his second consecutive game.
There could be a vulnerability for the Giants to exploit. The Browns’ offensive line in the first two weeks allowed pressure on 40.4 percent of dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. That is the fifth-highest pressure rate allowed in the league. Right tackle Jack Conklin is likely to make his 2024 debut in this game. … Shane Bowen is not known as a high-blitz defensive coordinator. In the first two games, sending pressure has not gone well for the Giants. When blitzing, they have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete all 11 passes for an NFL-high 221 yards. There are no other teams not to have forced an incompletion when blitzing this season.
Cornerback Art Green and linebacker Ty Summers were elevated from the practice squad for the game.