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, linebackers, EDGE rushers 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 defensive line position!
New York Giants
D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, Darius Alexander, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Josh Tupou, Leki Fotu, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Anquin Barnes Jr., Ben Barten
Dexter Lawrence was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the tenth overall pick in the draft, which turned into Francis Mauigoa, but left a massive hole in a position at which the Giants were already thin. To Joe Schoen’s credit, he did a solid enough job in replenishing the position with competent veterans. New York added D.J. Reader, Leki Fotu and Shelby Harris after the draft, but unfortunately lost Roy Robertson-Harris to injury. They also claimed Zacch Pickens off waivers and signed Josh Tupou.
I’m sure defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and defensive line coach Dennis Johnson believed they would have Lawrence when they accepted their jobs, but a lot can change in a short amount of time.
Darius Alexander did show signs of progression down the stretch of his rookie season, although it was mostly as a pass rusher. Sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis is one of my sleepers heading into the 2026 season. Overall, the unit lacks star power but has two new quality veteran options in Reader and Harris, with other rotational veteran options and some young players who could take the next step.
Still, the Giants only receive one point.
Points: 1
Washington Commanders
Daron Payne, Johnny Newton, Charles Omenihu, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle, Shy Tuttle, Deatrich Wise Jr., Ricky Barber, D.J. Davison, Jeffrey M’ba
Daron Payne is coming off a down season for him, but the 29 year old is one of the more effective two-way defensive lineman in the National Football League. Johnny Newton had two adequate seasons – the first he was recovering from a pre-draft injury and he recorded 27 pressures and six sacks in his second season, but he must be better against the run. Washington signed Tim Settle from Houston; he had an average season, relative to his career last season, but did record 43 pressures in 2024.
Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Charles Omenihu are all big bodied 4/5-techinques with length, with Kinlaw bringing experience playing inside techniques as well. The depth and experience of Washington’s group gives Dan Quinn’s unit the edge over New York.
D.J. Davidson also joined the Commanders this off-season, for what it’s worth.
Points: 2
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Moro Ojomo, Gabe Hall, Ta’Quon Graham, Zion Wilson, Uar Bernard
Jalen Carter could possibly be the best defensive lineman in the division, although Quinnen Williams of the Dallas Cowboys is tough competition for that honor. Still, Carter and Jordan Davis are a dynamic duo that features two complementary skill-sets. Carter’s quickness penetrates, Davis’ size occupies – but both are quick and strong enough at the point of attack to be effective. Moro Ojomo had a phenomenal 2025 season with the Eagles, recording 54 pressures as a starter in Vic Fangio defense during his third season.
The Eagles top three are very good, with Carter having the potential to earn Defensive Player of the Year, albeit he must keep his head on straight. However, the depth behind Carter, Davis, and Ojomo is suspect and unproven, which made me think about giving the Commanders three points, but the big three in Philadelphia are just too good.
Points: 3
Dallas Cowboys
Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, LT Overton, Jonathan Bullard, Jay Toia, Adedayo Odeleye, Tommy Dunn, Kelvin Gilliam, DJ Withers
Philadelphia has a very good one-two combo, but Dallas’ is better, even-though Kenny Clark is getting a bit long in the tooth. Clark was acquired during the Micah Parsons’ trade; after spending nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, he arrived in Dallas and provided 44 pressures from the interior. Clark is now 30-years old, but is playing next to arguably the best defensive lineman he’s ever played beside, which is – of course – Quinnen Williams, whom Dallas traded for mid-season last year. Williams arrived from the Jets and gave Matt Eberflus’ defense 32 pressures in seven weeks, totaling 51 pressures on the season.
Christian Parker has taken over Eberflus’ defense – a defense that was among the worst in the league last season. Williams and Clark could feast with their reinvented secondary and they’re the primary reason why this defensive line group is earning four points. Otito Ogbonnia, LT Overton, and Jonathan Bullard are depth options, but an injury to the big-two would really hurt this position group. Still, Quinnen Williams is that good and Clark is still playing at a high level – four points!
Points: 4
Final thoughts
The Eagles and Cowboys could have switched their positions here, and Washington’s depth made them an interesting consideration as well. But the Giants were an easy one-pointer; I like how New York handled a bad situation, but the defensive line could still prove to be the critical vulnerability of the team if their veterans take a step back and their young players fail to develop. This brings us to a defensive three-way tie in this ultra-intricate grading scale, with the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys all earning 13 points. Washington has 11 points, but it’s still close. We will go through the offense here soon, and have a final answer to the MUCH AWAITED 1-4 grading scale that determines WHO IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE DIVISION!
Final defensive tally
Giants: 13 points
Eagles: 13 points
Cowboys: 13 points
Commanders: 11 points
