NFL Draft Prospect Breakdown: Could Jake Golday Be the Answer to the Giants' Linebacker Needs?
The New York Giants head into the offseason with a clear need at linebacker. That much isn’t up for debate.
While free agency could bring in reinforcements, the play from the unit throughout most of the 2025 season left plenty to be desired. Even if the front office makes a splash or two in March, don’t be surprised if they’re still eyeing linebacker talent in the draft-especially if a promising name falls into their lap on Day 3.
Enter Jake Golday.
The Cincinnati linebacker checks a lot of boxes for today’s NFL. He’s got that old-school build at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, but his game is anything but outdated. Golday moves like a modern off-ball linebacker-rangy, fluid, and capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
What Golday Brings to the Table
Golday’s physical profile jumps off the tape. He’s got the frame to live in the trenches and the athleticism to roam sideline to sideline. That combination alone makes him a fascinating prospect, but it’s how he uses those tools that really stands out.
He’s instinctive-rarely fooled by misdirection and generally quick to read and react. His first step usually takes him toward the action, not away from it, and his pursuit angles are consistently efficient. He’s not just fast; he’s smart about how he uses that speed.
Golday’s range allows him to erase plays that look like they’re about to break big. Whether it’s a running back bouncing outside or a quarterback trying to scramble, he has the closing speed to shut it down.
And when he’s asked to drop into coverage, he doesn’t look out of place. He plays with discipline in zone, keeps his eyes on the quarterback, and passes off receivers without compromising the integrity of the coverage.
As a tackler, he’s reliable in space. He doesn’t overrun plays or lunge-he squares up and finishes.
He’s also a sneaky-good blitzer. Whether he’s coming off the edge or shooting through a gap, his burst can catch offenses off guard.
He’s not afraid to take on bigger blockers either, showing a willingness to mix it up in the trenches and chase plays down from the backside.
Where He Needs to Improve
Golday isn’t a finished product, and that’s okay-most Day 3 prospects aren’t. But the areas where he needs work are fixable with time and coaching.
The biggest issue? Block deconstruction.
When offensive linemen get their hands on him, he can struggle to disengage cleanly. It’s not a lack of effort-he’s a high-motor player-but his hand usage and technique still need refinement.
Too often, he allows blockers to stick to him, which slows his ability to redirect and make a play.
He also shows a slight hesitation when reading plays from depth, particularly in zone coverage. It’s not indecision as much as it is a need for confirmation-he seems to want that extra beat to verify what he’s seeing before triggering downhill.
At the college level, his athleticism often masked that half-second delay. At the next level, that margin shrinks.
Projection: A Versatile Piece With Starter Upside
Golday projects as a starting-caliber off-ball linebacker with the versatility to play inside, on the weak side, or even over the slot in certain looks. He’s already shown he can handle a variety of roles, and that kind of flexibility is gold for defensive coordinators.
The key for him will be improving how he handles blocks and trusting his instincts more when reading from depth. If he can clean up those areas, he has the tools to become an every-down linebacker who fits in multiple schemes.
Fit With the Giants
The Giants need help at linebacker, plain and simple. Even if they address it in free agency, they’ll want to build depth and add long-term answers through the draft. Golday makes a lot of sense as a developmental player with the potential to grow into a starting role.
He’s got the size to hold up in the NFC East, where physicality still matters, and the athleticism to stay on the field in sub-packages. His ability to cover ground and contribute in coverage also adds value in today’s pass-happy league.
If Golday is still on the board when the Giants are on the clock on Day 3, he could be a smart, high-upside addition to a defense that needs more speed, versatility, and playmaking at the second level.