Giants Undersold in Defensive 'Triplet' Ranking

The New York Giants have one of the league’s most talented defenses, the result of significant investment in free agency and the NFL Draft.

General manager Joe Schoen intended to build an elite pass rush. By extending defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, trading for edge rusher Brian Burns, and spending first-round picks on Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, the Giants have amassed an incredible blend of athleticism and technique.

Last season, the pass rush (sans Carter) couldn’t keep up with the demand set by a poor offense and inconsistencies in the back seven. The second level took a step back in defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s first season, and the secondary could not generate turnovers.

That looks to change in 2025 with the additions of Carter, corner Paulson Adebo, and safety Jevon Holland. Injecting more athleticism, ball production, and experience into a secondary that desperately needed it could pay significant dividends.

However, the Giants’ talent was undersold by Sports Illustrated’s defensive “triplets” ranking, which placed New York at No. 15.

“Lawrence continues to deliver elite seasons, giving him the edge over Brian Burns for the top defensive lineman on the team,” Gilberto Manzano wrote. “The Giants offer more than a stacked defensive front, which also will feature first-round pick Abdul Carter. The versatile Holland should boost the secondary, which gained cornerback Paulson Adebo.”

In fairness to Manzano, New York’s ranking is distorted by the nature of the exercise. Choosing an off-ball linebacker instead of an edge rusher means taking Bobby Okereke over Carter or Burns, despite their talent suggesting otherwise.

The Giants fell between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.

As far as pass rusher/linebacker/defensive back rankings go, league average is acceptable. In terms of true talent, though, this unit strays much closer to the NFL’s elite.

With so much invested in this pass rush and adequate reinforcement behind it, New York’s defense has more upside and fewer questions than it had a season ago. The defense will be expected to live up to that billing, especially with an improved offense making life easier.

Anything less than a top-10 defense would be a disappointment given the talent across this unit. Against such a daunting schedule, it would show up in the standings, too.