The New York Giants are gearing up for training camp in July. Each team in the NFC East has restructured its roster in hopes of success in the upcoming 2026 season. This is the fourth post in our position-by-position look at the NFC East; we have reviewed the cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers so far.
The team with the best positional group is assigned four points, and the “worst” receives one point. It is a complex formula, up there with E=MC², but we’ll attempt to deliver the information in a palatable
manner, and I’m sure it will be well received by all fan bases, of course. With that, let’s talk about the EDGE position!
Washington Commanders
Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Joshua Josephs, Drake Jackson, DJ Johnson, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, T.J. Maguranyanga, Andre Carter II
The Commanders added Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson to their edge room, and that was much needed. Yes, Washington uses Frankie Luvu, and they will – presumably – use Leo Chenal in an EDGE role; but, for this discussion, both players were included as linebackers. Oweh and Chaisson, along with Dan Quinn’s favorite Dorance Armstrong, are a solid trio of EDGE rushers, but Washington still earns one point.
Points: 1
Dallas Cowboys
Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, James Houston, Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, Isiah Land, Tyrus Wheat, Charles Snowden
Dallas and Washington are close, but I gave the Cowboys the extra points based on the acquisition of Rashan Gary, who is coming off a 60-pressure season with the Green Bay Packers. Gary is just 28 years old and is just shy of 400 career pressures. If he stays healthy, Dallas has a number one edge defender to lead the pair of young players in Donovan Ezeiruaku and Malachi Lawrence, the former of which recorded 36 pressures in his rookie season last year.
I also love how Lawrence doesn’t have to be forced into a role that may be too much for him in his rookie season. Gary, Ezeiruaku, and the presence of veterans like James Houston and Sam Williams will allow Lawrence to play a situational role – one that he can be an impact player operating within. Also, Marist Liufau is included as an edge defender for this exercise, but he plays multiple positions for Dallas and is a unique piece for Christian Parker. Still, Dallas only gets two points despite a respectable group.
Points: 2
Philadelphia Eagles
Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Keyshawn James-Newby, Jose Ramirez, Joshua Weru
The Eagles traded for Jonathan Greenard, which made this decision very difficult, for I respect the depth assembled by Howie Roseman behind Greenard and Nolan Smith Jr. Jalyx Hunt is a very good edge defender who recorded 60 pressures in his second season last year. Ebiketie had over 25 pressures in each of his four seasons with the Falcons, and A.J. Epenesa was a solid player for the Bills, giving Philadelphia a very respectable edge room, and one that could easily earn four points. However, they get three in this exercise due to the big three the Giants have, and the presence of Chancey Golston.
Points: 3
New York Giants
Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chancey Golston, Trace Frod, Khalid Kareem, Caleb Murphy
The Eagles pushed the Giants for this spot, but I’m going with New York and the combination of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and the likely second-year jump from Abdul Carter, who recorded 66 pressures in his rookie season. Carter has the highest potential of the three, and Burns is coming off a career year where he recorded 53 pressures and 16.5 sacks, which was second in the NFL last season.
Both Golston and Thiboeaux dealt with injuries throughout the 2025 season, and the latter has dealt with them over the last two years. Despite the nagging issues, Kayvon Thibdoeaux has 70 pressures over the last two years. He is playing on his fifth-year option and is catching the eye of new head coach John Harbaugh in a contract year. The trio is exceptional, and Golston is a solid rotational piece who can be effectively kicked inside. It’s close, but the Giants get the four points over the Eagles.
Points: 4
Final thoughts
The NFC East edge group is two-tiered; Washington and Dallas are in the bottom tier, with New York and Philadelphia in the second tier. No edge group is devoid of talent. Washington added key contributors who can bring the group to a different level than they’ve witnessed in quite a while. Dallas, however, is relying on two young players in Lawrence and Ezeiruaku, with Rashan Gary attempting to maintain his dominant play.
The Giants have the best trio in the division with Burns, Carter, and Thibodeaux. Philadelphia’s trade for Jonathan Greenard made the decision a consideration, but New York still took the four points. Still, Greenard, Nolan Smith, and the underrated Jalyx Hunt, with Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa, give Philadelphia depth and different body types and skill sets that will allow Fangio to make magic up front beside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Call me biased, but as talented as the Eagles are at edge, the Giants still take the full four.
