Giants Defensive Tackle Trade Is the 'Priority,' Art Stapleton Says

1 day ago

3 min read

Updated: 13 hours ago

Published Oct 30, 2026, 8:12 AM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi

Key points

Art Stapleton expects the Giants' trade priority to be an interior defensive lineman over a running back. "That's the move. Stop the run," he wrote.
The Titans traded Jeffery Simmons to the Bears on Thursday, two days after the Colts sent DeForest Buckner to the 49ers.
Opponents average 5.2 yards per carry against the Giants when Shelby Harris or DJ Reader is off the field.

The next Giants defensive tackle may matter more than a new running back. Art Stapleton thinks the bigger need sits in the middle of the line.

"Do I think Giants could add RB via trade? Yes," Stapleton wrote on X Thursday. "But I expect priority will be add IDL if they can. That's the move. Stop the run."

Stapleton covers the team for NorthJersey.com. He also said the Giants should add an inside linebacker, "even with Micah playing well," as we shared on X.

Why the Giants Need a Defensive Tackle

The numbers explain Stapleton's read. With Harris, Reader or both on the field, opponents average 4.4 yards per carry. That jumps to 5.2 when one or both are off, according to Giants On SI's Patricia Traina.

Third down shows the same gap. Opponents convert 64.3% with either starter on the field and 71.4% with both off, Traina found.

The starters have held up. Reader posted an 89.2 PFF grade against the Saints and made PFF's Team of the Week. The Giants also signed Dean Lowry to the practice squad for depth.

Two Top Names Are Already Gone

The Colts traded Buckner to San Francisco for a 2027 fourth-round pick, Colts.com reported.

Simmons moved on Thursday. The Bears sent two first-round picks and a fourth to Tennessee for him and a 2028 fifth, the Titans announced.

He is the first defensive tackle since 1967 traded for multiple first-rounders, per ESPN Research. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi said Bears GM Ryan Poles called "late last night," Pro Football Talk reported.

By the Numbers: The Defensive Tackle Market

Player	Trade	Return
DeForest Buckner	Colts to 49ers (Oct. 27)	2027 fourth-round pick
Jeffery Simmons	Titans to Bears (Oct. 29)	2027 and 2028 firsts, 2027 fourth

Source: Colts.com and Titans.com, as of Oct. 29, 2026.

Where the Giants Can Look Now

Traina floated Miami's Zach Sieler and the Chargers' Dalvin Tomlinson as depth options. Those are her ideas, not reported talks.

The price matters. The Giants don't have their fourth- or fifth-round picks, and GM Joe Schoen said, "In some situations, that may rule some players out," per NFL.com. The deadline is Nov. 10, per Giants.com.

Our Take: The Giants Still Need Their Defensive Tackle Move

When the Colts started selling on Oct. 27, I wrote that the Giants had to come away with Buckner, Jonathan Taylor or another notable piece. Total fire sale.

I also said Buckner would be a Giant eventually because it made too much sense. He's a 49er now, so I missed on that one.

I still think they are making a trade that will have a real impact. Back on Oct. 5, I said the Giants should be buyers at the deadline, even knowing fans would hate it because of the draft picks.

The middle of the line is where it shows. Dexter Lawrence helped everyone around him, and that's why he never should have been traded.

DJ Reader has been great, and I said after Houston it's amazing how players get elevated with great coaching. The Giants just need another body next to him.

Watch: SI's Conor Orr floats a Maxx Crosby-to-Giants dream trade (hypothetical, not a report), Joe Schoen on J.J. McCarthy's arm strength from the 2024 workout, and Art Stapleton saying IDL is the priority over running back.

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