The New York Giants’ defense enters 2026 with optimism, but with a lot to prove. Pro Football Focus illustrated how much in a recent look at the best 32 players at each position on defense.
Only three Giants, defensive tackle D.J. Reader and edge defenders Abdul Carter and Brian Burns, were listed among the top 32 players at their respective positions.
Reader was No. 26 among interior defensive linemen. PFF said:
Reader’s play in Detroit didn’t reach the heights of what we saw from him with the Houston
Texans and Cincinnati Bengals, but he was still solid. In his 10-year career, he has never had a season with a PFF pass-rush or run-defense grade lower than 60.0. He should be a solid player for a Giants team that traded away Dexter Lawrence.
Lawrence was ranked No. 4, and Leonard Williams No. 5.
On the edge, Carter was No. 16 and Burns No. 20. That is interesting, considering 2025 production.
Of Carter, PFF said:
Relatively low sack production caused a strong rookie season from Carter to fly a little bit under the radar. His 84.5 PFF pass-rush grade was the 10th-best among edge defenders, while his 18 quarterback hits were tied for fifth-most at the position. Given what we know about pressure rate and sack rate, if he even just performs as he did as a rookie in 2026, that sack production will likely increase, and that’s not factoring in a probable step forward in his second year.
Of Burns, PFF said:
Burns set a career high with 29 combined sacks and hits last season, and has earned a PFF pass-rush grade above 70.0 in all seven of his years in the NFL. He hasn’t been able to consistently produce at an elite level as a pass-rusher, but has still been good enough to form a formidable duo with Carter heading into the 2026 campaign.
At off-ball linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds. signed to a three-year, $36 million contract by the Giants this offseason, was left out of the top 32. A year from now, I would guess the top 32 list will include Arvell Reese.
At cornerback, Paulson Adebo, who may now be facing competition to keep his starting job, was not among the top 32 players.
At safety, Jevon Holland was bypassed. Giants fans won’t be thrilled that Xavier McKinney was No. 3 and Julian Love No. 17. Both of those players have been better after leaving the Giants.
