New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh talks with media after organized team activities at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Giants addressed a clear need on the interior defensive line on Saturday, acquiring defensive tackle CJ Okoye from the Baltimore Ravens for a 2028 seventh-round pick. The move reunites Okoye with head coach John Harbaugh, who coached him in Baltimore this past season.
The 24-year-old Okoye stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 365 pounds, giving New York a sizable interior option. He appeared in 13 games for the Ravens last season and finished with 15 tackles, including one tackle for loss. He was considered to be on the roster bubble in Baltimore heading into Sunday's 53-man roster deadline.
Harbaugh explained why the Giants were interested in bringing Okoye to New York, saying:
“He's a guy that we got to know recently last year, came in, was with the Chargers actually with my brother [Jim] for a couple years in the international program. So a guy who had been developmental type guy, learning the game and tremendous physical skills, hard worker, has really dedicated himself over the last few years to learning the game really because he didn't play it growing up and made great strides, made great strides with Dennis Johnson, our defensive line coach last year. That's where he kind of broke through and had a really good season.”
John Harbaugh talks about what the Giants are getting in C. J. Okoye pic.twitter.com/qLWsHfZl6A
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) August 29, 2026
Okoye is viewed primarily as an interior defender capable of playing both the A and B gaps with New York.
“We see him as an inside defender, a defensive tackle, A gap, B gap player, run stopper, pocket pusher in terms of the past game and just a really a real big physical player,” said Harbaugh. “So kind of a type of guy we've been looking for and we're really excited to get him up here.”
The Giants were looking for more interior defensive line depth, and Okoye provides familiarity with Harbaugh's coaching staff. He joins several other former Ravens in New York, including tight end Isaiah Likely, punter Jordan Stout, defensive back Ar'Darius Washington and fullback Patrick Ricard.
New York was able to use a 2028 seventh-round selection acquired earlier in the week from the Kansas City Chiefs in the Joshua Ezeudu trade to complete the deal for Okoye.
Harbaugh also indicated that the Giants have not stopped searching for defensive tackle help. He said the team is still looking and is making and receiving calls as part of its normal roster evaluation process.
NFL teams must reach the 53-man regular-season roster limit by 6 p.m. ET Sunday.