Over the past few campaigns, GM Joe Schoen and the New York Giants have spent capital building an identity that blends youth, athleticism, and positional versatility on the defensive side of the ball. While conversation often centers around their offensive storylines, the truth is that the roster’s biggest strength lies on the opposite side of the ball.
It starts up front, where the G-Men boast one of the most disruptive defensive interiors in football. Dexter Lawrence has already established himself as a game-wrecker at the nose. Few players in the league can collapse the pocket with the same combination of raw power and hand usage, and the ability of Lawrence to demand double-teams — that he consistently splits — ultimately creates chaos for quarterbacks and run concepts before they have a chance to develop.
To his right and left, the Giants have surrounded him with juice at the edge spot. The trade for Brian Burns from Carolina added one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers, a player whose bend and burst make him a nightmare in isolated situations.
Opposite Burns is former top pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has annually improved his hand counters and knack for finishing with consistency. A product of Oregon, Thibodeaux's ability to convert speed to power balances Burns’ finesse, giving the team one of the most complementary and youth-infused edge tandems in all of football. And then comes the newest addition: Abdul Carter, a top-five pick in April's NFL Draft. A dynamic blend of off-ball linebacker athleticism with edge-rusher size and range, Carter has the ability to line up as a blitzer, overhang defender, or as a wide-nine pass-rusher, depending on the situation.
That flexibility is critical in today’s NFL, where disguising pressure looks can dictate entire drives. With Lawrence anchoring, Burns and Thibodeaux threatening the edges, and Carter as the movable chess piece, New York’s front has the potential to overwhelm protection schemes every week.
Sleep on the Giants defense at your own peril
Underrated Linebacker Core
The Giants’ linebacking core doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves, but it's the glue that allows the front to hunt. It's a group that may not boast a household name yet, but both Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden play fast, communicate well, and rarely lose gap integrity. Against the run, they trigger downhill with decisiveness, funneling ball carriers back into the waiting arms of Lawrence and company.
In coverage, their ability to carry tight ends and running backs across the middle has helped the Giants cut down on chunk plays. And looking back to Carter, throwing his name in the fold gives HC Brian Daboll a true three-level presence. He can function as both an edge pressure player and a rangy pursuit linebacker — versatility that allows the Giants to disguise whether they’re rushing four, five, or even six, while still having the speed on the second level to cover ground sideline to sideline.
Secondary Talent
If the front seven is able to set the tone, the secondary in New York can ensure that quarterbacks rarely find comfort.
A long, sticky corner who thrives in both press and zone concepts, Paulson Adebo remains one of the most underrated additions of the offseason, and has the kind of physicality the Giants lacked on the boundary in years past. Pairing him with a young nickel like Dru Phillips, who has the instincts and change-of-direction skills to match slot receivers, and Deonte Banks, an intriguing perimeter piece, gives New York a versatile tandem.
Phillips’ emergence is particularly important, however, as in today’s NFL, the nickel spot is the third man on the backend. A product of Kentucky, Phillips' ability to play with anticipation and physicality could give the Giants an advantage against pass-heavy opponents, which starts in Week 1 against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
In the safety room, Jevon Holland’s arrival gives the unit a true playmaker. Holland’s range in deep coverage allows the Giants to be more aggressive underneath, knowing they have insurance behind them. He also has the versatility to rotate into the box, blitz, or man up against tight ends — traits that will allow the defensive staff to be far more creative with coverage disguises. Together, Adebo, Phillips, Banks, and Holland add layers of flexibility to the defense.
The Giants can live in two-high shells, roll into single-high looks late, or even press and trap on the outside, knowing they have athletes across the board to execute. And that's without going into detail on second-year safety Tyler Nubin, who's a heck of a playmaker in his own right.
Why This Unit Is Still Flying Under the Radar
Perception, really. The team hasn’t been a consistent contender in recent years, and offensive struggles have overshadowed defensive progress. Nationally, defenses that dominate prime-time games — think Denver or Baltimore — capture attention, while steady, improving units like New York’s can often slip through the cracks.
But when you examine the pieces holistically, the upside is clear. The Giants boast:
- A top-three interior disruptor (Lawrence)
- An electric edge tandem (Burns, Thibodeaux)
- A dynamic rookie chess piece (Carter)
- A sound linebacker group that erases mistakes (Okereke, McFadden)
- A secondary with both young talent (Phillips) and proven veterans (Adebo, Holland, Banks)
Big Blue may not yet have the national reputation of being a dominant defensive team, but that’s exactly what makes them underrated. With star power up front, a balanced linebacker corps, and an increasingly versatile secondary, this unit has the tools to dictate terms against any offense in football.
If the offense can stay competent enough to keep the defense out of constant short fields, New York’s defense won’t just be a surprise story — it could be the driving force behind a potential playoff run. It's a profile that is not “average” or “up-and-coming.” It’s the blueprint of a defense on the brink of taking over football games.