The New York Giants are taking the volume approach to replacing star nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, traded to the Cincinnati Bengals before the 2026 NFL Draft, to an extreme. On the same day they signed veteran nose tackle D.J. Reader, the best defensive lineman left on the free agent market, the Giants claimed yet another defensive tackle on waivers.
The Giants on Tuesday were awarded Zacch Pickens off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens, 26, was a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in
2023. Pickens spent two seasons with Chicago, and was signed to the Kansas City practice squad last year after being waived by the Bears during roster cut downs.
The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Pickens has played in 29 regular season games with three starts during his three NFL seasons.
Reaching his third organization in four seasons after being a third-round pick tells you that Pickens has not yet played to his draft slot. No harm here for the Giants to bring him in, take a look, and see if they can tap into something the Bears and Chiefs couldn’t get from Pickens.
The Giants have now added veterans Pickens, Reader, Shelby Harris, and Leki Fotu, and selected Bobby Jamison-Travis in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
