The New York Giants aren’t wasting time in their attempts to restock the depth chart at defensive tackle after trading All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II. Big Blue has already hosted a 38-game starter at the position who’s had two stints with AFC East outfit the Miami Dolphins.
Former undrafted free agent Benito Jones visited the Giants on Tuesday, April 21, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Just three days after the Giants dealt Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th-overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Signing Jones would represent a low-key way to move on from Lawrence. He would be the second unheralded D-tackle added to the roster, but any move of this type can only be the start of the Giants adequately replacing an interior pass-rusher as dominant as Lawrence.
A process that will also include smart use of draft picks and the remainder of free agency.
Benito Jones Offers Experience
He ended the 2025 campaign on injured reserve due to a back problem, but there’s nothing wrong with Jones’ overall experience. He started eight games for the Dolphins last season, after making 15 starts in 2024.
Jones was also on the field for every game with the Detroit Lions a year earlier. The 28-year-old played his way into being a viable member of the rotation on two teams and has ample experience of operating in a three-man front.
It’s the same scheme the Giants will continue to run, or at least a version of it, under new head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. The former Baltimore Ravens duo could use a 6-foot-1, 355-pounder like Jones who can line up at both defensive end and over the ball.
Jones would likely only be a depth piece, but the Giants already have plans to double up any move for a veteran with help from this year’s rookie class.
Giants Have Dual Strategy for Replacing Dexter Lawrence II
Shortly after news for Jones’ visit broke, Schefter’s colleague Jordan Raanan revealed the extent of Big Blue’s strategy for replacing Lawrence. As Raanan put it, the Giants “will add a veteran AND someone in the draft at the position.”
It makes sense to lean into this draft for D-tackle help. The position group is a deep one, and the Giants own prominent picks in both the second and fourth rounds.
Perhaps the first of those picks could be used to select a gifted, young nose guard like Georgia’s Christen Miller. Or maybe Clemson’s Peter Woods, the preferred choice for the Giants’ 37th pick in ESPN analyst Jordan Reid’s mock draft would suffice.
It’s also just possible any deal for Jones wouldn’t be the end of the Giants using the free-agent market for alternatives to Lawrence. Not when the team is already expected to sign a natural and proven run-stuffer immediately following the draft.
Fortifying the interior of a D-line significantly weakened by the exit of Lawrence has become an obvious priority for Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen. Visiting with Jones at least shows the Giants are serious about tackling the problem as quickly as possible.
Giants Met With 38-Starts AFC Defensive Tackle After Dexter Lawrence Move