If the New York Giants are going to outperform expectations this season, it’s going to be because of their defense. They have the second-most expensive defense in the NFL (only behind the Steelers), and that number is expected to go way up in 2026, according to OverTheCap.com.
The good news is that the unit boasts a lot of talent and plenty of depth. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chauncey Golston are set to be backups in 2025, and they would be starters for at least 20+ other teams.
That is just how loaded the Giants are up front. But just how good is their pass rush compared to the other top teams in the NFL?
The Giants' defensive line is among the very best in the league going into 2025
In a recent article by Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, he wrote about the NFL’s best pass rushing duos, and it wasn’t a surprise to see the Giants on the list. However, the duo that he picked wasn’t Abdul Carter and Brian Burns.
Instead, it was Burns and Dexter Lawrence who set career highs in sacks and pressures last season. Here is a snippet of what Holder had to say about Lawrence after a dominant 2024 season:
"Including a nose tackle in a list about some of the league's best pass-rushers wasn't expected, but Lawrence isn't your typical nose. Not only can he plug gaps and fulfill the requirements of the position in the running game at a high level, but he's also a unique athlete who can get to the quarterback. The 340-pounder has the strength to collapse the pocket when bull-rushing, in addition to the quickness and movement skills to beat guards and centers across their faces with finesse moves. "Matt Holder, Bleacher Report
Lawrence was on a Defensive Player of the Year pace before an elbow injury ended his season, but he was one of the league’s top pass rushers despite playing defensive tackle. Assuming he can stay healthy, he should be a near-lock to be an All-Pro selection in 2025, especially given the rest of the talent on the defensive line.
Holder paired Lawrence with Burns, and that makes sense considering he’s recorded 54.5 sacks in six NFL seasons. While he’s only recorded double-digit sacks once in his career (2022), he is always among the league leaders in pressures and win rate, which is a much fairer representation of his value. Burns is a very consistent pass rusher, and his ability to win with speed on the outside makes him a perfect fit with Lawrence.
The hope is that Abdul Carter will do the same on the other side, making it impossible for teams to double all three players. At least one player will see single blockers, and that should make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. If Thibodeaux and/or Golston can live up to their potential, this defense has a chance to be one of the league’s best. And the Giants need them to as their offense adjusts to a new quarterback, whether that be Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, or Jameis Winston.
The Giants have a pretty good track record of leaning on their pass rush to help them overcome long odds and win games they weren’t supposed to win. That’s the formula that has worked for them in the past, and they are hoping it will lead to more victories again this season.