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Giants Still Hunting for D-Line Help, With Vita Vea on Their Radar
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- Giants Still Hunting for D-Line Help, With Vita Vea on Their Radar
The New York Giants are still leaving no stone unturned in their goal of improving the team.
The Giants are remaining active in the trade market, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noting their interest in Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea.
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New York is 4-2-1 and leads the NFC East by two games ahead of the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys. They are seeking upgrades at both running back and on their defensive line, since the Giants rank 26th in the league in run defense (128.1 yards allowed per game).
The Giants Are Interested in Vita Vea
The Giants want a run-stuffing defensive lineman to pair with standout D.J. Reader. Coach John Harbaugh upset the apple cart in his efforts to land Jeffery Simmons, and the Giants had to move on after Simmons was dealt to the Chicago Bears.
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But it's hard to imagine a better option than Vea , who checks in at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds. The veteran has been a run stuffer and pass rusher throughout his nine seasons with the Bucs, earning two Pro Bowl selections while helping them win Super Bowl LV.
Vea, who is just two seasons removed from posting seven sacks, is 31 years old and having a down season. He has just one sack and ranks 80th in Pro Football Focus grade (55.6) and 87th in run-defense grade (48.9) among 128 defensive linemen.
Vea is signed through the 2027 season and carries a $30.6 million cap hit for next season.
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The question remains whether the Bucs are open to trading Vea, since Fowler called a deal for the veteran "unlikely." Tampa Bay (3-5) has won two in a row and three of its past four, bolting to within a half-game of the first-place Carolina Panthers in the NFC South standings.
ESPN Insider Expects Giants to Upgrade D-Line
The Giants are running out of 2027 draft capital, and Vea may end up being the most expensive D-line option available.
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Still, Fowler said the Giants are expected to do something.
"Defensive tackle might be the spot where they look to add," Fowler reported. "It would be a mild surprise if New York doesn't walk away with some help up front."
The Giants could target Grover Stewart of the Indianapolis Colts, potentially in a package deal with superstar running back Jonathan Taylor. Stewart, 33, is in the final year of his contract and has a half-sack and 26 tackles this season. He has the 37th-best PFF grade (65.0) among defensive linemen.
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The Colts are in the midst of a sell-off, having already dealt defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (49ers) and guard Quenton Nelson (Seahawks). Indianapolis is seeking a first-round pick aftter trading theirs to the Jets for Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
