At this point, the New York Giants should be kicking every tire and checking under every rock for talent. With the team sitting at 2-11 and officially eliminated from playoff contention, it’s time to start thinking about how to rebuild this roster for the future. Enter Siaki Ika, a former third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 NFL draft, who has bounced around the league but still offers intriguing upside as a gap-stuffing defensive tackle.
Bleacher Report recently suggested the Giants should sign Ika, citing Dexter Lawrence’s season-ending injury as an opportunity to evaluate the 24-year-old as a potential long-term depth piece. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s one that could address a glaring weakness in the trenches. They stated:
"As a result [of Dexter Lawrence's injury], the front office should bring in Ika to fill in for Lawrence for the time being and see if the 24-year-old can be part of the long-term plan to add depth to the defensive line."
Ika’s NFL journey has been rocky so far—he was waived by the Browns, cut by the Eagles, and most recently worked out with the Steelers without landing a deal. Still, his college pedigree and size (6-foot-3, 335 pounds) make him an intriguing option for a Giants team with nothing to lose by taking a flier on him.
What makes Ika such an interesting target for the Giants isn’t just his raw physical tools—it’s how well his skill set aligns with the team’s needs. Losing Lawrence has exposed the lack of depth on the defensive line, and Ika’s ability to eat up blocks and anchor against the run could help stabilize that unit.
At Baylor, Ika flashed the potential to be a disruptive force in the middle of the defense, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022. While his transition to the NFL has been underwhelming so far, his combination of size, power, and surprising athleticism for his frame makes him worth a look.
I can’t stop thinking about #Patriots HOFer Vince Wilfork when watching Baylor’s Siaki Ika.
The First Team All-Big 12 DT is 6’4”, 358 lbs and moves like this… pic.twitter.com/3vL4eTiQMM
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 30, 2023
More importantly, signing Ika would give the Giants a chance to evaluate him in live-game situations. With only four NFL games under his belt, he’s still a largely unproven commodity. But if he can provide even glimpses of his college dominance, the Giants might find themselves with a low-cost contributor for 2025 and beyond.
Timing is everything, and the Giants can’t afford to wait too long on Ika. The Steelers recently hosted him for a workout, signaling that they see potential value in bringing him aboard. If Pittsburgh, known for its ability to identify and develop defensive talent, is interested, the Giants should take notice.
This is exactly the kind of proactive move the Giants need to start making. Signing Ika wouldn’t just fill an immediate need—it would signal a willingness to take calculated risks on high-upside players. For a franchise desperately searching for solutions, that’s a mindset they can’t afford to ignore.
While adding Ika won’t fix all of the Giants’ problems, it’s a step in the right direction. At this point, the team’s focus should be on identifying building blocks for the future—and Ika might just be one of them.
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