The New York Giants wrapped up their “Top 30” pre-draft visits Wednesday in East Rutherford, and two names from Missouri’s defense stood out: linebacker Josiah Trotter and defensive tackle Chris McClellan. On the surface, routine business. But let’s dig into what this actually signals.
The Giants have a genuine hole at defensive tackle — regardless of whether Dexter Lawrence suits up this season. Lawrence’s situation has been the subject of quiet speculation for months, and bringing in McClellan tells you the front office is planning for life with or without their star interior lineman. That’s not panic. That’s contingency thinking.
McClellan sits at 116th on the NFL Mock Draft Database Big Board, projecting as a Day 3 pick — likely Round 4. As Dane Brugler of The Athletic writes, McClellan “looks like an NFL player, with his big frame and bear-claw hands.” He generates interior pressure when he times the snap well and deploys his full extension or arm-over moves. The knock? He gets stuck on blocks and needs more efficient hand work. Against the run, he holds the point and handles double teams well. Brugler concludes that McClellan “isn’t a consistent disruptor, but he checks boxes with his physical characteristics and developing recognition skills.” The projection is a rotational interior lineman giving quality snaps as a zero- or one-technique. Get the full breakdown of the Browns 2026 Draft Buzz.
Now here’s what’s more interesting. Trotter — son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter — ranks 64th on the same Big Board, putting him in the late Round 2 or early Round 3 range. Brugler describes the younger Trotter as “a hammer looking for a nail,” someone who keys quickly against the run, punches off blocks, and squares up as a tackler. The concern is coverage: inconsistent route recognition leaves him out of place too often. But his “field-general competitiveness and energy will ingratiate him with pro coaches.” The projection is a starting NFL Mike linebacker.
A detail most will skip past: bringing in two defenders from the same school on the final visit day suggests coordinated scouting rather than casual interest. The Giants likely have a thorough file on Missouri’s defensive scheme, making it easier to evaluate both players in tandem. That hints at serious consideration rather than box-checking.
The full visitor list paints a broader picture: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame), KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M), Travis Burke (OT, Memphis), Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State), Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State), Thaddeus Dixon (CB, UNC), Christen Miller (DT, Georgia), Spencer Fano (OT, Utah), Arvell Reese (OLB, Ohio State), Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU), Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah), Febechi Nwaiwu (G, Oklahoma), Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State), JC Davis (OL, Illinois), and Tacario Davis (CB, Washington), among others.
The mix skews heavily toward the trenches and defensive backs — three offensive tackles plus another lineman, two defensive tackles, and three corners. The priorities are right there in the invite list.
Keep an eye on how the Giants navigate Rounds 2 and 4. If Trotter is still on the board when their Day 2 pick comes up, this visit suggests they won’t hesitate. McClellan as a mid-round addition to bolster the interior rotation? That’s the kind of depth move that doesn’t make headlines but wins games in November. The real question remains Dexter Lawrence — and everything the Giants did this week looks like a front office preparing for multiple scenarios. Visit nfl-prop-bets for expert NFL prop betting guides, strategy and picks.
Expertly verified: Liam Carter