The most glaring need on the New York Giants' roster heading into the 2026 NFL draft was defensive tackle. The recent trade of Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has left a gaping hole in the middle of the line, and it will take more than a sixth-round pick to fill it.

The Giants took one defensive lineman in this draft, Auburn's Bobby Jamison-Travis, with the 186th pick in Round 6. Although the team feels he is a player who can help them, it's obvious there's more to be done to defray the loss of Lawrence.

"We've been in contact with several agents of veteran defensive tackles," general manager Joe Schoen told reporters after the Giants completed their draft on Saturday. "We'll continue to keep those communications open and see what happens next week and maybe have a couple more visits with some vet guys. Certainly on our radar."

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One of those players is veteran interior lineman D.J. Reader, who the team met with recently but is likely waiting to sign until after the compensatory pick deadline window closes on Monday at 4:00 p.m. Players who sign after that window closes do not affect the formula.

The Giants don't want to upset any chance of losing the possible fourth-round selection they may be in line for as compensation for Wan'Dale Robinson signing with the Tennessee Titans last month.

After the draft, the Giants reached agreements with two undrafted free agent defensive linemen, Colorado's Anquin Barnes and Ben Barten of Wisconsin.

You can bet that Schoen will make iDL his priority the next few days and weeks. The Giants were heavily criticized for the way they handled Lawrence's situation, even though he wanted out and they weren't obligated to amend his current contract.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Veteran defensive tackles remain on New York Giants' radar