Dexter Lawrence was the centerpiece of the New York Giants' defensive line for seven years. After his offseason departure, Big Blue has cobbled together the interior of its defensive front with short-term veterans.
A long-term solution has to come soon, and the 2027 NFL Draft may offer John Harbaugh's team its best chance to find one. There are plenty of defensive tackle prospects who could solidify themselves as first-round talents as the college football season kicks off.
We're already keeping tabs on these five.
5 DTs Giants should already have their eyes on for the 2027 NFL Draft
Miami produced two first-round defensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they have a new crop of prospects ready to make an impact (spoiler: the Hurricanes will show up again on this list). Justin Scott typically lines up as a three-technique defensive tackle, using his acceleration off the line of scrimmage to knife through blockers.
Scott's production was limited last season, but his athletic profile hints at a breakout in 2026. The Giants are relying on Darius Alexander to fill this role, but Scott would be a strong replacement if the second-year pro falls flat.
If Scott is a missile, Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles is an anchor. He's sturdy in run defense, rarely giving up ground to offensive linemen. While he spent most of his time last season as a three-technique, he could hold up as a nose tackle if needed.
Echoles isn't a dud as a pass rusher, either. He produced 33 pressures and five sacks last season. With another strong campaign, he could push into the first round.
The second Miami Hurricane on our list, Ahmad Moten Sr., is a monster on the interior. He consistently gets into the backfield to disrupt plays, producing nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. At 325 pounds, he has the physical profile to play nose tackle in the NFL.
Moten needs to improve his run defense. He missed too many tackles last season to be a reliable anchor on the interior. If he can show improvement this year, he could become one of the Giants' most coveted prospects.
Giants draft enthusiasts have already become familiar with Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone. The hulking defender has already been linked to Big Blue in multiple early mock drafts. His physicality against the run could be exactly what the Giants need next season, especially if they move on from DJ Reader.
Stone can anchor against double teams, but he also has the lateral agility to track down outside runs. He would be a strong selection in the first round for New York.
Oregon's A'Mauri Washington likely would have been a first-round pick had he entered the 2026 NFL Draft. With one more year of college football, he could become a top-ten prospect.
Washington is a force against both the run and the pass. He can play anywhere along the interior of the defensive line, using his strength and quick get-off to dominate opposing blockers. If the Giants want to draft the Oregon star, they may even have to trade up for him.
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