Linebacker Jack Kelly isn't exactly churning out headlines as the New York Giants head into training camp. The rookie sixth-round pick is more focused on earning a spot on the final 53-man roster. He's expected to be a primary contributor on special teams, but his role on defense is flying under the radar.
With a unique and versatile skill set highlighted by his dynamic production at BYU, Kelly has the tools to become a weapon in defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's system.
A strong training camp performance can solidify Kelly as an important member of the Giants' front seven in 2026.
Giants rookie LB Jack Kelly can earn an important role in training camp
Kelly is listed as an off-ball linebacker, but his ideal role can't be boxed into one position. He's about 6'2" and 240 pounds, allowing him to hold up on the edge in the NFL.
The Giants' rookie is a point-and-shoot destroyer. At BYU, the linebacker was consistently unleashed on offenses from multiple positions. About 20% of his defensive snaps came as an edge rusher, split evenly between the left and right side. On 99 pass-rush snaps, he was credited with nine sacks. In fact, he finished second in sacks among all off-ball linebackers from Power Four conferences.
Kelly used his burst and downhill physicality to disrupt the pocket from different alignments. He can hold up in coverage, but he's at his best when moving toward the football.
While most of his playing time as a rookie will still come on special teams, Kelly's defensive skill set will translate smoothly into the NFL.
He could fill a role similar to the one Leo Chenal has played for the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years. Chenal is technically an off-ball linebacker, but he took over a third of his snaps from the line of scrimmage last season. He has become a linebacker-edge hybrid, offering his defensive coordinator a versatile chess piece capable of staying on the field in different situations.
That versatility earned Chenal a three-year, $24 million contract with the Washington Commanders this offseason.
The Giants were clearly looking for players of that archetype this offseason, drafting both Kelly and Arvell Reese.
Assuming he can beat out Darius Muasau in training camp, Kelly will start out as Big Blue's fourth linebacker, behind Tremaine Edmunds, Reese, and Micah McFadden.
Wilson's scheme is expected to blur the lines between positions, though, especially in the front seven. If Kelly can prove in training camp that he can hold up against offensive tackles, both against the run and the pass, he could play a role in New York sooner than anybody expects.
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