Giants news, 4/14: QB Brandon Allen signed, veteran DT D.J. Reader visits

Q: Who is Brandon Allen and what is his role with the New York Giants?

Brandon Allen is a journeyman quarterback who has been signed by the New York Giants to bolster their quarterback depth.

Q: What does D.J. Reader's visit to the New York Giants mean for the team's defense?

D.J. Reader's visit indicates that the Giants are exploring options to strengthen their defensive line ahead of the new season.

Q: What are the implications of the Giants signing Brandon Allen for their quarterback situation?

Signing Brandon Allen may provide the Giants with additional competition and depth at the quarterback position as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Q: How does D.J. Reader's potential signing impact the Giants' free agency strategy?

If D.J. Reader signs with the Giants, it could signal a strategic focus on enhancing their defensive capabilities during free agency.

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Other Giant observations

Will this be Joe Schoen’s final pre-draft presser as Giants GM? | New York Daily News

Schoen’s annual pre-NFL Draft Giants press conference, originally scheduled for this Thursday, was moved up on Sunday morning all the way to this Tuesday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.

He will be asked about Dexter Lawrence’s trade request and about his fifth draft upcoming a week from Thursday. But John Harbaugh, the head coach now running the franchise, already answered those questions. The primary big picture curiosity is about the status of Schoen’s future with the organization.

The Giants must hit every pick: Orlovsky

Tiki Barber breaks down Giants’ RB room and how Jeremiyah Love could add to it | USAToday.com

“I think this is a winning team. I think they started the process a year ago, even though they lost a lot of those games—tight games. There’s a culture that you can see building internally with the players who are here,” Barber said. “I think bringing in guys like Tremaine Edmonds, they’re making sure they re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor to keep our core together, and you’re going to accent it with the draft. And you have a great coaching staff that has years of consistent competency under its belt.”

Albert Breer’s Takeaways: The Prospect Who Makes Sense for the Jets at No. 2 | SI.com

I think Dexter Lawrence II will remain a Giant. Looking back at the history of John Harbaugh and how he and his teams have valued big men on both sides of the ball over the years, it would seem likely that he and GM Joe Schoen and his staff will find a way to keep Lawrence. As we wrote last Wednesday, Lawrence hitting the nonguaranteed phase of his deal, along with a new staff, made this sort of dustup between the team and its star defensive tackle likely, but it’s still manageable.

As I see it, this shouldn’t be too complicated, and I don’t see the Giants moving Lawrence unless some other team goes way off-script with a trade offer. New York already has the makings of a really good defensive front. No need to mess with that.

New York Giants NFL Draft 2026 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs | The Athletic

Defensive tackle: Even before Dexter Lawrence’s trade request went public, the Giants should have been thinking about the trenches. The position wasn’t heavily invested in during free agency, with the team signing DT Sam Roberts a few weeks into the process. But Lawrence’s request shone a light on the room, which has a need for younger talent.

Wide receiver: The Giants are sure to run a lot more 12 personnel with the addition of tight end Isaiah Likely, but a young receiver to throw in the mix isn’t the worst idea following the departure of Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, and Malik Nabers’ ongoing recovery from a knee injury. The Giants added veterans Calvin Austin and Darnell Mooney on one-year prove-it-deals.

2026 NFL draft: Latest intel, questions for 32 teams’ picks | ESPN.com

The Giants’ biggest need is right guard, where they’re without a starter unless they have full confidence in Daniel Faalele and/or Evan Neal, which seems nearly impossible right now. But would they really draft a right guard at No. 5, even if that player could later slide out to tackle? Instead, the Giants could go the best-player-available route … but who would be the best player at that spot, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs or Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles? If those are the choices, linebacker it is.

Week 2 of the offseason program has started

Biggest need for every NFL team ahead of the draft | CBSSports.com

New York Giants: Defensive line. Defensive tackle is the biggest need after learning of Dexter Lawrence’s desire for a trade. The team is already thin in that role. Cornerback is a position the team has invested in over the years, but the returns have depreciated. There is an argument to be made that wide receiver is the biggest need because Wan’Dale Robinson is not under contract for next season and Malik Nabers is returning from a serious injury.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys trade up for David Bailey | PFF

5. New York Giants: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State. With Love off the board, the Giants’ selection will likely come down to former Buckeye teammates Styles and Caleb Downs. The team’s need at linebacker feels greater: Even after adding Tremaine Edmunds, New York must improve a room that placed 25th in overall PFF grade last season. Plus, New York can probably add a guard later in the draft, considering it signed Daniel Faalele and Lucas Patrick as potential starters.