In the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Giants made seven selections. That included four picks in the top 100. Additionally, New York had two top 10 picks in 2026. They drafted Arvell Reese fifth overall out of Ohio State. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa was the 10th overall pick by the Giants. The team also had three sixth-round picks. Giants rookie Jack Kelly’s former head coach spoke highly of him.
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake was on a recent episode of the Giants Huddle podcast hosted by John Schmeelk. Sitake has high praise for Kelly, whom he coached for two seasons. He believes Kelly can “make a splash” for New York in 2026. What role will the sixth-round linebacker play for the Giants in year one?
Giants rookie Jack Kelly has the support of his former college head coach
What was Kelly’s path in college that led him to New York?
Before he transferred to BYU for the 2024 season, Kelly spent his first three years at Weber State. From 2021 to 2023 with the Wildcats, Kelly recorded 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. With two years of eligibility remaining after 2023, Kelly hit the transfer portal and landed at BYU. As a member of the Cougars, he started all 25 games he appeared in.
Kelly made a real impact at BYU and was named a team captain in 2024 and 2025. During his final season, he was one of 17 players nationally with 10+ sacks. He was named an All-Big 12 First Team selection with 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in 2025. That was enough for Giants rookie Jack Kelly to be selected in the sixth round. How much playing time will Kelly see in 2026?
Who will Giants rookie Jack Kelly be competing with for playing time?
At Weber State, Kelly played more of an edge rusher role. Upon transferring to BYU, he adapted and played off-ball linebacker. Kelly is expected to compete for playing time at linebacker for the Giants. However, he has an NFL veteran and a top-five pick standing in his way. Under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, New York is running a 3-4 front.
They need two inside linebackers in this base defense. New York drastically improved their linebacker room ahead of 2026. After parting ways with Bobby Okereke, the Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million contract. Edmunds has started all 119 games he has appeared in professionally. That is not expected to change with New York. Additionally, the Giants drafted Arevell Reese fifth overall out of Ohio State. While Reese has been successful as an edge rusher, he will primarily play inside linebacker alongside Edmunds in 2026.
With those players ahead of him on the depth chart, Kelly’s playing time in the regular season is unknown. If he can adjust quickly to the speed of the NFL, playing on Sundays will not be an issue. As a rookie, he could earn playing time at linebacker by being a core member on special teams. It’s well-known that John Harbaugh made his name in the NFL as a special teams coordinator. That’s an area the team needs to improve moving forward.
Kalani Sitake believes Jack Kelly is ‘a perfect fit’ for the New York Giants
Speaking on the Giants Huddle podcast, Sitake mentioned that he is familiar with the Giants coaching staff. He added that he knows the brand and what expectations can be like in New York. That is why he believes Kelly is “a perfect fit” for the Giants. Sitake mentioned that Kelly is not a high-maintenance player and that New York will get a return on their investment. Finally, Sitake spoke about Kelly’s motor on the field. The 23-year-old plays with incredible effort, and Sitake believes Kelly can “make a splash.”
Main Photo: [Nathan Giese/Avalanche Journal] – Imagn Images
