What kind of defense will the NY Giants run in 2026?
We can draw inferences from what Dennard Wilson ran with the Tennessee Titans in 2025, or from the fact that he was the Giants first choice to replace Wink Martindale in 2024. But the reality is that we don’t really know, at least not yet.
So could the Giants use a versatile defender who could be an edge defender or linebacker?
Texas Tech’s Romello Height was one of the best and most disruptive pass rushers in the country in 2025. However, he is very undersized for the position in the NFL at 6-foot-3, 239 pounds. In fact, he’s built much more like an off-ball linebacker than an edge defender — but that didn’t stop him from being a menace off the edge in Texas Tech’s Playoff run.
So what is he in the NFL, and could he be an option for the Giants?
Prospect: Romello Height (9)
Games Watched: vs. Utah (2025), vs. Kansas (2025), vs. Arizona State (2025), vs. BYU (2025)
Red Flags: none
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 239 pounds
Arm length: 32 1/8 inches
Hand size: 9 1/2 inches
40 time: 4.64 seconds
Strengths
Best traits
- Athleticism
- Versatility
- Snap timing
- Explosiveness
- Pass rush
- Fluidity
- Space play
Romello Height is an undersized but explosive, fluid, and versatile edge defender.
Height truly straddles the line between defensive end and outside linebacker. He appears equally comfortable lining up as a pass rusher on the line of scrimmage and lining up as an off-ball linebacker. Likewise, he’s also fully capable of dropping into coverage or blitzing from the second level as well as rushing off the edge.
He has excellent instincts as a rusher and does a very good job of timing the snap. Height is usually one of the first defenders in motion at the snap and explodes into the backfield. He also has a highly flexible and fluid lower body, allowing him to maximize his leverage and carry speed into the backfield. Height is able to turn a very tight corner while keeping his cleats firmly planted in the ground, slipping under blocks without getting run past the pocket.
Height is a sack artist off the edge and is a consistent finisher in the backfield with double digit sacks (10.0) as well as tackles for loss (11.5) last year. He does a very good job of diagnosing run and pass, and is also quick to disengage and pursue the ball carrier on toss or screen plays.
He has the upside to play off-ball linebacker, with active feet and eyes when playing in space. He has good mobility as well as range in space, with the ability to be effective in coverage as well as be a good A and B-gap blitzer. Height typically diagnoses well in space and is as quick to pursue in space as he is when rushing off the edge.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Size
- Play strength
- Run defense
The first, and most obvious, weakness in Height’s profile is his lack of size. He is very undersized for an edge defender at 6-foot-3, 239 pounds, and would likely play at a lower weight than that on game day. Height also lacks great length with 32-inch arms, which also shows up in his game.
Height is skilled at using his hands to keep blockers from latching on, however he needs to use his explosiveness and athleticism as much as his hands to keep himself clean. He lacks the play strength to take on linemen directly and often winds up bouncing off offensive tackle blocks. That can lead him to be more of a run disruptor than a run stopper.
That also means that tackles simply don’t have to fear a power counter from him and mostly just need to be prepared for his speed off the edge.
He also has a surprising lack of speed for a player of his size. And while he’s explosive off the snap, his speed shows up when he has to disengage in pursuit. Height can struggle to run down most ball carriers unless he takes an excellent angle to the ball.
Game Tape
(Height is the Texas Tech edge defender wearing number 9 with long sleeves and high black socks.)
Projection
Romello Height projects as a rotational front seven defender at the NFL level. His exact position could depend on the defense into which he’s drafted, and so too could his draft stock.
Some teams could look at height as a moveable piece in a multiple defense, while others could view him as a pass rush specialist, while others still may view him as a candidate to transition to linebacker full-time. He should be able to hit the ground running wherever he lands in the NFL thanks to his versatility, technical polish, and experience playing for four very different schools in Auburn, USC, Georgia Tech, and Texas Tech.
Height may not be considered a home run pick right away, but he has the potential to be a regular contributor and an impact player by the end of his rookie contract.
Does he fit the Giants? Possibly, depending on scheme
Final Word: A late Day 2 or very early Day 3 pick
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