The Giants are heading into 2026 with real optimism on defense, but Pro Football Focus’ latest rankings make one thing plain: there’s still plenty to prove before this group earns broader respect.
Only three Giants showed up in PFF’s top 32 at their positions - defensive tackle D.J. Reader, plus edge rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. That’s not exactly a full-force endorsement of a unit that’s supposed to be one of the team’s calling cards.
Reader landed at No. 26 among interior defensive linemen. PFF noted that his time in Detroit didn’t quite match the peak years he had with the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals, but it still viewed him as a dependable piece. The outlet wrote:
“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.”
That last part stands out because Lawrence checked in all the way up at No. 4, while Leonard Williams came in at No. 5.
On the edge, Carter was ranked No. 16 and Burns No. 20, which feels a little light given what both did in 2025.
PFF’s explanation for Carter was centered on how the rookie’s impact showed up more in pressure than in sacks:
“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.”
Burns’ ranking came with a reminder that his production has been steady, even if it hasn’t always reached dominant territory.
“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.”
The rest of the defense got little love from PFF’s list.
At off-ball linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds, who signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Giants this offseason, was not included among the top 32. A year from now, the source article suggests Arvell Reese could be the name to watch on that list.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo, who may be in a fight to hold onto his starting role, also missed out.
And at safety, Jevon Holland was left off the rankings as well. Giants fans probably won’t enjoy seeing former Giants Xavier McKinney at No. 3 and Julian Love at No. 17, especially since both have performed better since leaving New York.
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