The New York Giants need a lot of help. There are holes all over the roster. One area in desperate need of reinforcements is the interior defensive line. The moment they traded Leonard Williams to Seattle, the already-thin front got even thinner. While Dexter Lawrence remains an All-Pro force in the middle, the lack of a reliable running mate made life way too easy for opposing offenses. The Giants have to address the position this offseason, whether through free agency or the draft.
Enter Howard Cross III, a defensive tackle out of Notre Dame who just so happens to have some pretty cool ties to the franchise. His father, Howard Cross, spent 13 years in a Giants uniform, won Super Bowl XXV, and has been part of the team’s radio broadcast for over a decade. Now, his son is set to enter the NFL, and he made it very clear at the NFL Combine he’d love nothing more than to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I’ll be absolutely blessed to get any opportunity, but it’s just like a legacy thing,” Cross III said when asked about potentially playing for the Giants. “I think it would be cool. I’m not going to lie to you.”
Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III, son of former Giants TE Howard Cross, on what it would mean to him if he was selected by the Giants: pic.twitter.com/6HANOVACo2
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) February 26, 2025
Is Howard Cross III a legitimate draft target for the Giants?
It's not as if the Giants don't need bodies on the defensive line. They do. Cross III may not have Leonard Williams’ size, but he brings a relentless motor, quickness off the ball, and the kind of versatility that could make him a good fit next to Lawrence. Over 66 career games at Notre Dame, Cross III racked up 169 tackles, 11 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss, proving to be a disruptive force despite being considered undersized at 6-foot, 285 pounds.
His playing style? All about technique and quickness. Cross III told reporters:
“I am not going to have the same game as Dexter Lawrence or someone like that. I have a different thing going on. It’s speed, versatility, and skill—that’s kind of my thing.”
He also isn’t shy about how much time he puts into studying opponents, which could make him a perfect complement to Lawrence’s sheer power:
“I’m a nerd, so I look at it like Superman and Batman. Batman doesn’t have a lot of powers, but he knows how to get around people. I sit down and I watch film for an extremely long period of time—maybe even longer than I should—but I look and read and do everything I can to make sure I beat you.”
Sounds like the kind of guy head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen would love to have in their locker room and on the field. It also sounds like a fan favorite in the making. If he does make his way on the G-Men, it's not hard to envision him becoming a beloved player by the fanbase.
The best part? The Giants can probably wait until day three to land him. Cross III is currently projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick, meaning the team could take a swing on him while still using their premium selections on more important positions. If Schoen wants to add depth, improve the run defense, and bring in a high-IQ player with ties to the franchise, this one feels like a no-brainer.
At the end of the day, the fit makes too much sense. The Giants need another disruptive interior defensive lineman. Cross III is looking for a place to develop and prove he belongs in the NFL. And the cherry on top? He grew up a Giants fan, bleeds blue, and would be fired up to follow his dad.
We’ll see if Schoen and company feel the same way in April.