The Giants already made one massive move up front by dealing Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati and landing the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That leaves a glaring opening on the defensive line, and ESPN’s Jordan Reid thinks New York could circle back to that spot a year later.
In Reid’s latest mock, the Giants use the No. 9 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft on Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles.
"9. New York Giants.
Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss," Reid predicts. "...
Echoles is the best of a deep defensive tackle crop, as his power and pass-rush push give him a well-rounded skill set."
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Echoles would fit the profile of a player who can step into a heavy-duty role along the interior. He recently turned 20 and is entering his junior season at Ole Miss, where he put together a productive last year with 68 total tackles, including 32 solo stops, five passes defended and five sacks.
For now, the Giants are patching together the post-Lawrence picture with DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, Darius Alexander, Leki Fotu, Marlon Davidson, Zacch Pickens and others. That group gives them bodies, but not a true long-term answer.
That’s why a player like Echoles makes sense in the conversation. Replacing Lawrence won’t be simple, and there’s no reason to expect Echoles to match that kind of impact immediately. Still, his ceiling is obvious, and if he keeps trending the right way, he could become a major piece for an NFL defense.
Reid’s projection is only a snapshot this far out, and plenty will change before the 2027 draft arrives. But if the Giants did end up taking Echoles, it would at least be a serious swing at filling the hole they created when they sent Lawrence to Cincinnati.
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