Jack Kelly NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for New York Giants LB

Matt HolderApr 16, 2026

The New York Giants selected BYU LB Jack Kelly with the No. 193 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Jack Kelly has decent instincts and downhill speed as a run defender and can contribute as a pass-rusher to potentially earn an NFL roster spot and stick.

As an unranked player in the 2021 high school class, Kelly's college career began at FCS level for Weber State. He redshirted as a true freshman and saw the field for two seasons with the Wildcats, racking up 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, an interception, seven passes defended and five forced fumbles in 28 career games.

The 2023 first-team All-Big Sky performer transferred to BYU for his redshirt junior campaign and immediately became one of the Cougars' starting linebackers. Over 25 games in Provo, he logged 106 tackles, 23.5 TFLs, 15 sacks, an interception, two PDs and four FFs.

His performance was enough to earn Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2024 and first-team honors in each of the last two seasons.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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- Kelly has a thick build and good weight for an NFL linebacker.

- Solid instincts against the run to be decently quick at key and diagnosing plays, and the linear speed to shoot gaps and make unblocked tackles near the line of scrimmage.

- Solid awareness in zone coverage, showing decent eye discipline to locate threats, and does a good job of working for depth to help defensive backs takeaway crossing routes over the middle.

- Uses his hands well to force reroutes and disrupt the timing of routes against tight ends and wide receivers.

- Offers value as an off-ball blitzer, showing the ability to beat running backs with power and solid closing speed to force the ball out of the quarterback's hand when unblocked or as the looper in line games. Also has good pass-rush production with 35 total sacks in college, including two double-digit sack seasons.

Areas of Improvement

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- While Kelly tested well at the NFL combine, he looks stiff and his lateral movement skills didn't stand out on tape.

- A lack of quickness and agility makes it difficult to read the quarterback's eyes, tighten throwing windows and/or make plays on the ball in zone coverage.

- Will get beaten by running backs in man coverage, in all areas of the field.

- Stiff knees make it difficult for him to sink his hips and anchor as a run defender against offensive linemen.

- Short arms lead to him getting stuck on blocks. He doesn't get much extension, allowing offensive linemen to hang onto him to make stacking and shedding difficult.