Training camp is about to put the New York Giants’ roster under the microscope, and one of the more interesting fights may come at inside linebacker. The name to watch is rookie Jack Kelly, a sixth-round pick out of BYU who has been building buzz in a hurry.
Micah McFadden is the current favorite for New York’s third linebacker job. He started for the Giants in 2024, then missed almost all of the 2025 season with a lower leg injury.
With Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese added this offseason, McFadden sits in position as a strong third option. But Kelly has made this a lot less comfortable than it looked on paper.
The rookie has been drawing attention since the draft. Dane Brugler labeled him the Giants’ Day 3 pick most likely to surprise fans in his first season, and Josh Edwards called him New York’s most interesting selection. That momentum carried into minicamp, where Jordan Raanan reported positive reviews.
Kelly still has work to do if he wants to pass McFadden, but the traits are there to make this a real competition. He moves well for his size and can be deployed in different ways. At BYU, he mostly played off the ball, but he still finished his final season with nine sacks.
Coverage is the part of his game that can get shaky, but the Giants could use his physical tools to help shore up the run defense. And even if he doesn’t crack the linebacker rotation right away, there’s a clear path for him to contribute on special teams. His size and athleticism make him a natural fit there, and that could help him earn trust fast.
For a sixth-round pick, Kelly is already in a strong spot just to be in the conversation. If he keeps climbing in camp, the Giants may end up with more from him as a rookie than anyone expected.
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