The Giants certainly know the massive player they traded for Saturday to help bolster an area of concern on their defensive line.
They acquired C.J. Okoye from the Ravens for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick — the same pick they gained last week by shipping offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu to the Chiefs.
Okoye, born in Nigeria, came to the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program that former Giants pass rusher Osi Umenyiora is actively involved in.
Okoye is 6-foot-6 and 365 pounds, and the Giants hope he can play in a rotation behind starters DJ Reader and Shelby Harris and help stop the run on the interior of the defensive line.
“Had been a developmental-type guy learning the game, tremendous physical skills, hard worker, really dedicated himself over the last few years to learning the game,’’ head coach John Harbaugh said Saturday. “He didn’t play it growing up.’’
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle CJ Okoye looks on after an NFL preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 22, 2026, at U.S. Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Harbaugh is familiar with Okoye, 24, from their season together in Baltimore in 2025. Okoye played in 13 games and finished his debut NFL season with 15 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and one pass deflection. His defensive line coach with the Ravens, Dennis Johnson, is currently in that role for the Giants, giving Okoye another advocate in the building.
“He made great strides with Dennis Johnson last year,’’ Harbaugh said. “That’s where he kinda broke through and had a really good season.’’
There is another link with Harbaugh. Okoye spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons on the Chargers practice squad. Jim Harbaugh, John’s younger brother, was the Chargers head coach in 2024.
This addition does not preclude the Giants from continuing to look for depth along their defensive line. They hoped Darius Alexander, the 2025 third-round pick from Toledo, would take a big step forward in his development, but he was unable to do that this summer, needing work as a run defender. Bobby Jamison-Travis, a 2026 sixth-round pick from Auburn, is not yet ready for regular-season action this early in his NFL development, as the 322-pound rookie could end up at the end of the depth chart or on the practice squad.
The lack of capable bodies at defensive tackle prompted the usage of Chauncey Golston on the inside, instead of his usual spot at defensive end. That versatility is helpful, but Golston, at 277 pounds, remains more of an edge player.
Now Okoye arrives as the heaviest player on the team.
“Just a real physical player, the type of guy we’ve been looking for,’’ Harbaugh said. “We’re really excited to get him up here.’’
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Getting Okoye “up here’’ took a bit of a detour. He took the train from Baltimore, but did not disembark at the station in Newark, N.J. Instead, he mistakenly took the train all the way into New York City’s Penn Station and then had to double back.
“As we all know,’’ Harbaugh said, “it’s easy to do, right?’’
When asked Friday night after the preseason-ending victory over the Jets if Odell Beckham Jr. did enough to make the team, Harbaugh said, “I think I would answer the question yes. I mean, I think he has done enough to make an NFL roster for sure.’’ Note he said “an’’ NFL roster, not the Giants, per se.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) celebrates a completion during the first half of a preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The next day, Harbaugh was again asked about Beckham.
“Well, we can talk about words, we’ll just have to see throughout the weekend if he does make the roster,’’ Harbaugh said. “We’re working through that right now. We have a pretty good idea, in all honesty, but we’re not ready to make that announcement, or any other announcement as far as who’s making the team at this point.’’