Giants Make Moves to Strengthen Defensive Line

The New York Giants stirred things up recently with an unexpected trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, acquiring the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This move gives them two top-ten picks.

However, the Giants faced a challenge after losing defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. While they drafted Ohio State’s Arbel Reese and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa with those two picks, they knew they needed to bolster their defensive line further.

Shortly after the draft, on April 30, the Giants began to make some key acquisitions. First up was veteran Shelby Harris, who signed a one-year deal that could be worth up to $3 million. Harris has an extensive NFL background, having played 146 games and racking up 358 tackles and 28.5 sacks, most recently with the Cleveland Browns.

By the end of that day, they added another veteran, Leki Fotu. Drafted in the fourth round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, Fotu has played 66 games, starting 26, and has tallied 103 tackles.

But the significant development happened recently when they signed DJ Reeder, enhancing their defensive line even more. This player, a strong leader, is seen as a vital addition for the Giants.

Interestingly, insiders had mentioned Reeder’s potential addition during the frenzy of NFL free agency, especially following Lawrence’s move to the Bengals. This left the front office with a pressing need to augment the defensive line.

Last season, Reeder had a solid run, starting all 17 games with the Lions and putting up 28 tackles across 583 defensive snaps.

Now, Reeder will join a defensive front that’s shaping up quite nicely, featuring last year’s first-round pick Abdul Carter, veteran Brian Burns, 2022 first-round selection Kayvon Thibodeau, and, of course, Reese.

While finding a direct replacement for Lawrence has been tricky, these three veterans are expected to significantly help out.