The New York Giants may not have one of the top defenses in the NFL, but the unit is loaded with star players. Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Arvell Reese, and Jevon Holland headline a group with more talent than the on-field production would suggest.
But if Big Blue is going to take the next step on defense in 2026, it will have to come from some of the less prominent players on the roster.
Linebacker Micah McFadden could play a huge role in the unit's progression. While he isn't expected to be a full-time starter, his reliable play is exactly what the defense needs to unlock its best players.
Micah McFadden could be Giants' unsung hero in 2026
Fifth-overall draft pick Arvell Reese hasn't played a snap in the NFL yet, and he's already one of the most versatile defenders in the league. His ability to play off the ball and to threaten the quarterback as a pass rusher makes him a dangerous tool for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. While John Harbaugh has already stated that Reese will start at off-ball linebacker, he may play a more fluid role.
But if Reese is going to be freed up to move around the formation, the Giants will need a third linebacker capable of holding down the middle of the field. That's where McFadden comes in. He's expected to be the team's third linebacker, behind Reese and Tremaine Edmunds.
Typically, that would mean that he would primarily be on the field in obvious running situations, when the defense uses "base" looks. But Reese's positional versatility makes McFadden's role a bit more important. If the fifth-year linebacker can be trusted to play at a high level next to Edmunds, Reese can be used more creatively.
McFadden has already shown that he can play starting-caliber defense. He has started 36 games for the Giants over the last four years. While he missed nearly the entire 2025 season due to a Lisfranc foot injury suffered in Week 1, he has been a reliable player throughout his career.
He has faded into the background for the Giants this offseason and is currently competing with rookie Jack Kelly for positioning as the backup linebacker. Due to Reese's positional flexibility, whoever wins that job will play more snaps than the typical backup.
McFadden's ability to impact the game as a backup will be crucial in the Giants' attempt to field a top-ten defense in 2026.
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