The New York Giants are making it clear: they're not leaving anything to chance when it comes to their defensive line. Just hours after signing veteran nose tackle D.J. Reader—widely considered the top free agent left on the market—the team added another big body to the rotation, claiming defensive tackle Zacch Pickens off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickens, 26, was originally a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft. After two seasons in the Windy City, he was released during final roster cuts last year and landed on the Chiefs' practice squad. Now, he's getting a fresh start in East Rutherford.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, Pickens has appeared in 29 regular-season games with three starts over his three-year career. While his production hasn't yet matched his draft pedigree—moving to his third team in four seasons is a telltale sign—there's no risk for the Giants in bringing him in for a closer look. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all a player needs to unlock his potential.

The Giants are clearly taking a "more is more" approach to fortifying the interior of their defensive line after trading star nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Along with Pickens and Reader, the team has also added veterans Shelby Harris and Leki Fotu, and selected Bobby Jamison-Travis in the sixth round of this year's draft. It's a deep, experienced group that should create plenty of competition in training camp—and give the Giants' front seven a much-needed boost.