\u201cHad 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,\u2019\u2019 head coach John Harbaugh said Saturday. \u201cHe didn\u2019t play it growing up.\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2291684741.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe made great strides with Dennis Johnson last year,\u2019\u2019 Harbaugh said. \u201cThat\u2019s where he kinda broke through and had a really good season.\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
There is another link with Harbaugh. Okoye spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons on the Chargers practice squad. Jim Harbaugh, John\u2019s younger brother, was the Chargers head coach in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now Okoye arrives as the heaviest player on the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a real physical player, the type of guy we\u2019ve been looking for,\u2019\u2019 Harbaugh said. \u201cWe\u2019re really excited to get him up here.\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGo behind the scenes with Big Blue\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Getting Okoye \u201cup here\u2019\u2019 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\u2019s Penn Station and then had to double back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we all know,\u2019\u2019 Harbaugh said, \u201cit\u2019s easy to do, right?\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260828_JetsGiants_029cs.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n