The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the New York Giants and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 New York Giants Defense
Game script played some role in the Giants giving up a lot of rushing yards last season, but they also were not great at stopping opposing running backs, finishing 23rd in yards per attempt allowed on RB runs.
There is an elite name at the top of the defensive line depth chart with Dexter Lawrence, who led the team with 9 sacks despite playing in just 12 games. He also plays well against the run and is one of the better defensive linemen in the league.
The Giants added some veteran depth with Roy Robertson–Harris and Jeremiah Ledbetter, and they drafted Darius Alexander in the third round.
New York was just midpack in pressure rate (34.6%) last season, but they finished eighth with 45 sacks. The team has spent a lot of resources on the edge, and they likely feel good about the top of the depth chart.
Brian Burns led the team with a 14% pressure rate, nabbing 8.5 sacks, and Kayvon Thibodeaux logged 5.5 sacks in 12 games with an 11.4% pressure rate.
Added in free agency, Chauncey Golston might belong in the defensive line group, but he played more outside for the Cowboys last year.
A much bigger addition was Abdul Carter, who was selected with the No. 3 overall pick.
Linebacker is one of the stronger position groups for the Giants.
Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke combined for 29 run stuffs last season, ranking seventh and 21st among qualified linebackers, respectively.
McFadden was not a standout in coverage, but Okereke ranked 13th among qualified linebackers in yards allowed per coverage snap.
The Giants once again struggled to stop the pass last season, allowing 7.7 yards per attempt (29th) and finishing with just 5 interceptions (31st). They allowed a completion of 20 or more yards on 8.9% of the attempts against them (26th).
New York desperately needed to add some talent to this position, and they did that by signing Paulson Adebo in free agency.
Adebo was impactful in 2023, allowing just 6.7 yards per target and finishing third in the league in passes defended.
If he plays up to that level, it will allow 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks to slide into the No. 2 corner spot.
A third-round pick last year, Dru Phillips showed well in the slot as a rookie and should continue in that role moving forward.
At safety, the Giants lost Jason Pinnock in free agency, but they made a big move to bring in former Dolphin Jevon Holland.
Though he is not coming off his best season, Holland could end up being something of a bargain given what other safeties got in free agency this season.
A second-round pick last year, Tyler Nubin had a solid rookie outing, specifically against the run.
Dane Belton is a solid enough third option, especially given the talent at the top of this position.
If Holland bounces back and Nubin takes a step forward in his second season, this could be one of the better safety units in the league.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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