Giants’ defense called one of NFL’s ‘most interesting’ units

Will things go according to plan for New York’s defense?

There are high expectations in 2025 for a revamped New York Giants’ defense that, on paper, features vastly improved personnel. SB Nation, in fact, thinks the Giants’ defense is one of the league’s “most interesting” units.

Joseph Acosta writes:

I can assure you that it’s not opposite week, because the Giants’ defense has the bones of what could be a very good unit. It all starts up front, where DT Dexter Lawrence leads a group that has the potential to get after the QB in many different ways. A trio of EDGEs in Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux could help the Giants play matchup ball with the offensive line, picking and choosing who gets the isolated matchup over the worst offensive linemen. Winning football games starts in the trenches and the Giants could be very good up front.

Where this really gets interesting is in the secondary, where New York poured a lot of resources in the offseason. Signing CB Paulson Adebo and S Jevon Holland give the group more veteran experience, on top of two rookies in S Tyler Nubin and CB Dru Phillips (who was VERY good in the slot last season) that make this secondary have a lot of promise. CB Deonte Banks has to figure it out, however. The former first round pick has struggled since being drafted, and having more experience around him could help him out.

The Giants finished with a horrible 3-14 record a season ago. Despite John Mara lashing out at the defense in January by saying “I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us,” the defense was not atrocious in 2024. The Giants finished 20th in the NFL, allowing 24.4 points per game.

How defensive coordinator Shane Bowen puts the pieces together is undeniably going to be fascinating.

A look at the points per game averages allowed by teams a year ago shows the Giants just 3.0 points per game allowed from having a top 10 defense. With good health and performance equaling expectation from the players on the roster it isn’t hard to imagine the Giants reaching that level.