After trading Dexter Lawrence, the New York Giants were expected to address the defensive tackle position early on in the 2026 NFL Draft. But that's not how it worked out. After the Houston Texans leap-frogged them for Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen pivoted, waiting until the sixth round to draft Auburn's Bobby Jamison-Travis with Pick 186.
But the Giants know better than to put all their eggs in the basket of the 186th overall pick. They are evidently not done at defensive tackle, and they are apparently planning to add a veteran in the conclusion of the 2026 Draft, something which Schoen confirmed while addressing the media.
"We've been in contact with several agents of veteran defensive tackles," Schoen said. "We'll continue to keep those communications open. We'll see what happens next week, maybe have more visits next week with some vet guys. (Signing one is) certainly on our radar."
The New York Giants are bracing to add a veteran DT in the coming weeks
The Giants hosted D.J. Reader for a visit a few weeks back, but nothing materialized. Presumably, Big Blue sought to wait until after the draft to sign him, when signing a veteran would no longer go against the league's 2027 comp pick formula, but reports suggest that that a deal with Reader is inevitable.
The 31-year-old is the top available free agent at defensive tackle, and he would make the sting of losing Lawrence much easier. He would immediately step in as New York's starting nose tackle, which would help take pressure off of current DT Darius Alexander, Sam Roberts, and Roy-Robertson Harris.
Someone like Reader is the most sensible option for the Giants, but he would also be the most expensive. But compared to the other available defensive tackles, it has to be him. Do you really feel good taking a flier on Christian Wilkins with his red flags after taking the year off? Because I don't.
Jamison-Travis is one massive human being at 6-foot-3 and 328 pounds, but starting him at nose tackle from Day 1 would be foolish. All he really is is a high-upside swing to replace Sexy Dexy, but the fact of the matter is, replacing him isn't a one-man job. It takes a village to replace a player like him.
BJT has no pass-rushing upside, struggles getting off of blocks, and ended his Pro Day early because he got winded. It's safe to say that he isn't the "perfect Lawrence successor" the G-Men are looking for. But fear not Giants fans, as someone (hopefully Reader), will step into that role.
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