The New York Giants are keeping their options wide open ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, hosting veteran defensive tackle Benito Jones while also bringing franchise icon Odell Beckham Jr. in for a workout and physical.
Both moves signal that the Giants are aggressively evaluating experienced talent as they reshape the roster following major offseason departures.
Benito Jones Visit Highlights Giants’ Search for Defensive Line Reinforcements
The Giants’ interest in Benito Jones comes as the team continues to search for replacements after trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jones, a 6-foot-1, 335‑pound veteran, has played 71 regular‑season games with 38 starts across stints with the Dolphins and Lions.
Last season, he appeared in 14 games with eight starts for Miami.
New York has already hosted defensive tackles Shelby Harris and D.J. Reader, but none have signed.
With the upcoming draft considered thin at the defensive tackle position, the Giants appear to be doing extensive due diligence on available veterans.
Jones projects as a rotational interior lineman who could help stabilize a unit that also lost D.J. Davidson and Rakeem Nunez‑Roches in free agency.
Odell Beckham Jr. Works Out for Giants as Reunion Talks Intensify
While the defensive line remains a priority, the biggest headline belongs to Odell Beckham Jr., who returned to the Giants’ facility for a workout and physical.
According to ESPN, Beckham’s visit signals genuine interest from both sides, though no signing is imminent as the team waits to see how the draft unfolds.
Beckham, now 33, has been vocal about wanting to return to the franchise that drafted him in 2014.
He recently met with Giants ownership and new head coach John Harbaugh, who coached him in Baltimore and has spoken highly of him.
Beckham did not play last season but appeared in nine games for the Dolphins in 2024, recording nine catches for 55 yards.
The Giants have added receivers Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, and re‑signed Isaiah Hodgins, but uncertainty remains around projected No. 1 wideout Malik Nabers, who is recovering from an ACL tear.
Beckham’s potential return would add veteran depth and a familiar playmaker to Harbaugh’s offense.
Giants Balancing Veteran Options With Draft Strategy
Both the Jones visit and Beckham workout appear to be part of a broader strategy: assess proven veterans now, then finalize decisions after the draft.
With two top‑10 picks and several roster holes, the Giants are positioning themselves to pivot quickly depending on how the board falls.
Whether Beckham’s emotional push for a reunion or Jones’ experience on the defensive line leads to a signing remains to be seen—but the Giants are clearly leaving no stone unturned.
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