Giants Trade 2028 Seventh-Round Pick for 365-Pound DT CJ Okoye

New York acquired defensive tackle CJ Okoye from Baltimore on Saturday in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round draft selection.

The New York Giants finalized a trade with the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to acquire defensive tackle CJ Okoye. In exchange for the 6-foot-6, 365-pound interior lineman, New York sent a 2028 seventh-round draft selection to Maryland. This transaction was officially reported at 10:49 AM ET by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, occurring exactly 24 hours before the league’s mandatory roster reduction deadline.

Key details

Okoye arrives in East Rutherford having appeared in 13 games during the previous NFL campaign. His statistical output included 15 total tackles and one tackle for loss, demonstrating his utility as a rotational piece in a 3-4 defensive front. At 24 years old, the Nigerian-born athlete represents a significant physical investment for a Giants unit looking to bolster its run-stopping capabilities. The move marks a reunion for the player and head coach John Harbaugh, who previously managed the defensive tackle’s development during their shared tenure in Baltimore.

To facilitate this acquisition, the Giants front office leveraged draft capital recently gained through a separate transaction. Earlier in the week, New York traded offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu to the Kansas City Chiefs, receiving a seventh-round pick in return. By flipping a future 2028 asset, the Giants managed to secure Okoye without diminishing their immediate pool of selections for the upcoming spring draft cycle. This strategic maneuvering allows the team to address a depth deficiency on the interior line while maintaining long-term flexibility.

Latest developments

The influx of former Ravens into the Giants' locker room continues a growing trend under the current administration. Okoye joins a roster that already features several former Baltimore teammates, including tight end Isaiah Likely and punter Jordan Stout. Additionally, defensive back Ar'Darius Washington and veteran fullback Patrick Ricard have made the transition from the AFC North to the NFC East, creating a familiar environment for the incoming defensive tackle. This personnel overlap suggests a deliberate effort by the Giants to integrate players who are already well-versed in the coaching staff's preferred schemes and cultural expectations.

During his time with the Ravens, Okoye was frequently cited as a bubble player, fighting for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster. His massive frame makes him one of the heaviest active players in the league, a trait the Giants intend to utilize to clog rushing lanes. The 365-pounder’s ability to occupy multiple blockers was a key factor in New York’s decision to pull the trigger on the deal. Reporters Jamison Hensley and Jordan Raanan confirmed that the trade was processed quickly once the Giants identified a need for a massive nose tackle prototype.

This trade serves as a calculated risk for the Giants, who are betting on Okoye’s physical upside and familiarity with their defensive philosophy. The 2028 seventh-round pick is a low-cost entry point for a player who has already proven he can contribute in double-digit games at the professional level. As the Sunday cut-down deadline looms, this move solidifies the interior rotation and provides the Giants with a specialized tool for short-yardage and goal-line situations. The transaction highlights the aggressive nature of the New York front office in scouring the trade market for specific athletic profiles that fit their defensive identity.