Anyone who watched the New York Giants in 2025 saw an almost laughable inability to stop the run. They were getting gashed regularly, no matter the matchup, which the club has recognized this offseason, and it seems like others are taking notice, too.
The Giants are evidently tired of being pushed around like a stroller; they want to be the physical team that sets the tone. That's why bolstering their linebacker room was a point of emphasis, as ESPN's Jordan Raanan highlighted in the updated 2026 NFL power rankings.
While the Giants come in at 23rd on the list, Raanan acknowledged the improvements to the second level of the front seven. He suggests that big-money free-agent Tremaine Edmunds and first-round rookie Arvell Reese, plus retaining veteran Micah McFadden, will fix New York's leaky run defense.
"Between Edmunds, Reese and McFadden, the inside linebacker group should be an asset as New York tries to solve its run-stuffing woes," Raanan wrote. "The Giants allowed a league-worst 5.3 yards per rush last season, the worst mark in franchise history."
ESPN's latest 2026 NFL power rankings reveal Giants addressed brutal run defense
Big Blue reached a new organizational low in terms of susceptibility to opposing tailbacks to an alarming degree this past campaign, according to Raanan. They were tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns allowed (21), and only the Cincinnati Bengals gave up more rushing yards per game (145.3).
So, the Giants brought in some high-end reinforcements. Edmunds and Reese are two of the fastest and most athletically gifted players at their position. They possess the length and sideline-to-sideline speed to fly to the ball and limit foes on the ground.
Meanwhile, McFadden returns to East Rutherford on a one-year "prove-it" deal. He's been part of the gap-filling issues at times. Pushing him down the depth and into a secondary role behind Reese and Edmunds could pay dividends for the G-Men in more ways than one.
By virtually every metric, New York was a run funnel last season. However, it's become abundantly clear that the Giants want to get back to playing power football under John Harbaugh in his first year as head coach. They want to win the battle in the trenches on both sides and control the line of scrimmage.
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