The New York Giants continue their efforts to bolster the defensive tackle position following the trade of star Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite adding veterans like Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu, along with drafting Auburn’s Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft, the team remains active in pursuit of experienced interior linemen to address the significant void in their run defense.
Lost in the post-draft shuffle, Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com reports that the Giants have spoken to veteran Austin Johnson.
The Giants had previously brought in Harris and Benito Jones for visits, and the expectation is that they will sign veteran D.J. Reader. They’ve also talked to Austin Johnson, among others.
Johnson, a 31-year-old defensive tackle from Galloway, New Jersey, boasts a strong history with the Giants. Originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2016 NFL draft out of Penn State, he joined New York in 2020. In 2021, he started all 17 games, posting career highs with 72 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
At 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds, Johnson’s veteran presence, run-stopping ability, and familiarity with the organization make him a logical target as the Giants rebuild their defensive front.
Discussions with Johnson signal an ongoing commitment to fortifying the position through free agency as bidding for fellow veteran D.J. Reader heats up.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Report: New York Giants have talked with veteran DT Austin Johnson
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
