Giants offseason roster analysis, Part 2: The defense and special teams
Brian Burns of the Giants reacts after his first-quarter sack against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 9, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Giants’ defense last season was atrocious stopping the run. Not only were they last in opponent yards per carry, they were also 28th in total defense.
Even worse was the Giants’ kicking game. They used four different kickers to varying results. Fortunately, coach John Harbaugh has a strong background in special teams. He also brought in former Ravens assistant Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator to create a fast, violent unit.
With a new kicking group and at least five new defensive starters, here’s a look at the Giants’ defense and special teams heading into the second week of OTAs and training camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Returning: Roy Robertson-Harris, Chauncey Golston, Darius Alexander
Additions: Leki Fotu, Shelby Harris, Bobby Jamison-Travis (rookie), Zach Pickens, DJ Reader, Sam Roberts, Josh Tupou
Evaluation: Dexter Lawrence being traded and Roy Robertson-Harris’ season-ending Achilles injury mean the Giants will have new starting interior linemen. They’re also replacing Lawrence’s production by committee after signing seven defensive tackles. That signals either a lack of faith in Alexander entering his second season or just wanting more bodies to fill Lawrence’s shoes. Golston battled injuries last season so he’ll need to impress in a contract year. Reader should make an immediate impact after signing a two-year deal. But players like Fotu, Harris and Pickens on one-year deals feel like stopgaps, not long-term solutions. It’s a deeper group but it must be impactful stopping the run if they want to effectively replace Lawrence.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Returning: Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Caleb Murphy, Trace Ford
Addition: Khalid Kareem
Evaluation: This remains the Giants’ strongest position group. All-Pro Burns is the leader of the defense with Lawrence gone. There are higher expectations for Carter after an up-and-down rookie season ended well. Thibodeaux needs to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025. The Giants will keep ears open in the trade market but keeping Thibodeaux also gives them depth as a premium position. This group will once again anchor a Giants defense that has to get better around them.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Returning: Micah McFadden, Darius Muasau, Zaire Barnes
Additions: Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese (rookie), Jack Kelly (rookie), Cam Jones
Evaluation: The biggest position overhaul on defense. Edmunds and Reese add bigger, faster bodies in the middle of the field. They also must be difference makers, especially Edmunds as Reese navigates his rookie year. Reese will be used all over the field but he’s got to fight a learning curve all first-year players face. McFadden should be healthy after missing all but one game with a foot injury. Muasau will fight for reps and needs to improve heading into his third season. Kelly, a sixth-round pick, could make an impact on special teams. For a position that was a critical offseason need, the Giants addressed inside linebacker very well, at least on paper.
CORNERBACK
Returning: Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Korie Black, Art Green, Nic Jones, Rico Payton
Additions: Greg Newsome, Colton Hood (rookie), Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Elijah Campbell
Evaluation: The Giants desperately need a No. 2 cornerback to step up with Cor’Dale Flott leaving for the Titans. Newsome, who was signed in free agency, will get first crack but is on his third team in less than a year. Banks didn’t get his fifth-year option renewed so he’s playing for his job after being a disappointment so far. Adebo will hope to avoid injuries that hampered his first Giants season because he has to be a better No. 1 cornerback. Hood, the second-round pick, will push for reps and should see the field. The Giants’ secondary struggled last season so Newsome and Hood must live up to their promise and Adebo needs to bounce back.
SAFETY
Returning: Jevon Holland, Tyler Nubin, Beau Brade, Raheem Layne
Additions: Jason Pinnock, Ar’Darius Washington
Evaluation: The Giants didn’t draft Caleb Downs so the safety room only changed by adding a new veteran (Washington) and bringing back a former one (Pinnock). That’s putting a lot faith in Holland and Nubin improving from a quiet 2025. There’s more pressure on Nubin to live up to expectations after a so-so two seasons. Holland, the Giants’ most expensive free agent, should be more comfortable in Year Two but needs to have an impact similar to when he was with the Dolphins. Pinnock returns after three seasons here (2022-24) and will add competition. Washington is another former Raven who is familiar with Wilson, his DB coach in 2023. But it’s on Holland and especially Nubin to have a stronger impact with a new staff.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Returning: Ben Sauls (kicker), Gunner Olszewski (returner)
Additions: Jason Sanders (kicker), Dominic Zvada (kicker), Jordan Stout (punter), Zach Triner (long snapper), Calvin Austin III (returner)
Evaluation: Harbaugh completely overhauled this group and it’s a much improved outfit. Sanders was eighth in field-goal percentage in 2024 but missed all of last season with a hip injury. Stout was an All-Pro last season in Baltimore. The Giants need kicking stability after the last three seasons. Sauls and Zvada will add competition through training camp. Austin adds more speed in the return game with Olszewski and should be used more on punts.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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