The New York Giants are wasting no time reshaping their coaching staff under new head coach John Harbaugh, and the early moves are already signaling a clear direction. With Chris Horton locked in as special teams coordinator, Harbaugh has now tapped into his Baltimore roots once again, bringing in former Ravens assistant and most recently Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to run the defense in New York.
Wilson isn’t just a familiar face for Harbaugh-he’s a coach with a strong track record working with defensive backs and a reputation for getting the most out of his players. While his stint in Tennessee didn’t exactly rewrite the record books, it’s worth noting that Wilson wasn’t the main issue during a rocky Titans campaign. In fact, several players under his watch either maintained or elevated their level of play, and that could be key as he looks to retool the Giants' defense.
As Wilson begins to build out his scheme in New York, don’t be surprised if a few familiar names from his past stop by. Here are three free agents who could realistically follow Wilson to the Meadowlands and help jumpstart a new era of Giants defense.
3. DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Let’s start in the trenches. Dexter Lawrence is still a foundational piece for this Giants defense, but his 2023 season saw a slight dip from his previous All-Pro form. That makes depth along the interior defensive line more important than ever-and Sebastian Joseph-Day could be an ideal fit.
Joseph-Day brings a veteran presence and a reputation for doing the dirty work up front. He’s not a stat-sheet stuffer, but he’s the kind of player who makes life easier for the stars around him-just ask Jeffery Simmons, who benefitted from lining up next to him in Tennessee. If Joseph-Day were to land in New York, he’d be pairing up with Lawrence in a rotation that could quietly become one of the more reliable interior duos in the NFC.
He also brings experience from his time with the Rams under Sean McVay, which adds another layer of versatility and professionalism. For a Giants team that needs more consistency on the defensive front, Joseph-Day could be a stabilizing presence.
2. EDGE Arden Key
Arden Key isn’t a household name, but he’s carved out a niche as a dependable rotational pass rusher. Over the past five seasons, he’s consistently posted between four and seven sacks-solid production for a player who’s rarely a full-time starter. That’s exactly the kind of depth the Giants could use behind their top edge threats, Abdul Carter and Brian Burns.
Key’s value goes beyond just his pass-rushing chops. He’s made notable progress as a run defender, an area where the Giants struggled at times last season. That kind of two-way utility makes him an attractive option in a system that will demand physicality and discipline on the edges.
Perhaps most importantly, Key already knows Wilson’s system. That familiarity could make his transition into the Giants’ rotation seamless, giving the defense a plug-and-play option who can contribute right away.
1. S Geno Stone
This one’s a bit more of a wild card, but there’s a clear connection-and a potentially big payoff.
Geno Stone had a breakout season under Wilson’s guidance in Baltimore, picking off seven passes and showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time. But after moving to Cincinnati, things fell apart.
His 2025 campaign was a struggle, and by the end of it, he ranked near the bottom of the league in PFF’s safety grades. It was a tough year, no doubt.
Still, the upside is there. Wilson knows how to tap into Stone’s instincts and ball-hawking ability.
If the Giants are willing to take a low-risk shot on a reclamation project, Stone could be the kind of player who thrives in a familiar system with the right coaching. The tackling issues are real, especially in open space, but the takeaway potential is hard to ignore-especially for a Giants defense that could use more playmakers in the secondary.
As Harbaugh and Wilson begin laying the foundation for a new defensive identity in New York, don’t be surprised if a few of their former players follow them east. These aren’t splashy names, but they’re the kind of smart, system-fit additions that can quietly elevate a defense. The Giants are building something new-and these three players could be part of that blueprint.