Giants claim defensive lineman with Dennard Wilson connection

New head coach John Harbaugh will have his fingerprints over the New York Giants’ entire new identity. One of his key decisions when it came to coaching staff was naming Dennard Wilson the defensive coordinator.

Now, the Giants have reunited Wilson with one of his former pupils. New York has claimed defensive lineman CJ Ravenell off of waivers, via Art Stapleton of USA Today.

Ravenell originally signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. That is where his path with Harbaugh and Wilson first became intertwined. The defensive lineman was then claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans in 2025. Unsurprisingly, Wilson was the team’s defensive coordinator that season.

Ravenell appeared in 14 games with the Titans, starting one while putting up six tackles and a forced fumble. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he is clearly a favorite of Harbaugh and Wilson’s. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to at least stick on special teams.

Defensively, the Giants will be looking for massive improvements in their new era.  They finished the 2025 season ranked 28th overall in total defense, allowing 359.5 yards per game. So in that regard, Ravenell could potentially make an impact.

But first he simply needs to make the roster. The Titans waived the defensive lineman off of their injured list, so he must prove to be fully healthy too. Still, this is now the third franchise Ravenell has followed either Harbaugh or Wilson. Perhaps that loyalty will pay off in New York.