The New York Giants head into the offseason with a clear need: more depth and consistency along the interior of their defensive line. One name already in the building is veteran defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches - affectionately known as “Nacho.” The question now is whether the Giants should keep him in the mix for 2026 or move on as they reshape their defense.
The Case for Keeping Nacho
At 32 years old, Nunez-Roches brings energy, leadership, and a contagious locker-room presence - the kind of guy teammates rally around. He’s been in the league for over a decade and knows how to carry himself like a pro.
And while he’s not a headline-grabber, he’s had his moments in blue. Over the past three seasons with the Giants, he’s recorded 5.5 of his 9.0 career sacks, including a career-best 3.0 sacks in just nine games last season - despite being limited by injuries.
Go back to 2024, and Nunez-Roches played a career-high 610 snaps. That’s a heavy workload for a player who’s ideally suited for a rotational role.
When used in smaller bursts, he can still be effective - especially as a tone-setter in short-yardage or early-down situations. The Giants, though, have leaned on him more than they probably should have, and that’s where the cracks have started to show.
The Case for Moving On
Let’s be honest: the Giants’ run defense hasn’t exactly struck fear into opponents in recent years. Over the past three seasons, the best they’ve finished in yards allowed per carry is 24th in the league. That’s not going to cut it, especially in a division where stopping the run is non-negotiable.
Nunez-Roches was brought in on a three-year deal back in 2023 with the expectation that he’d help plug those holes up front. But the numbers tell a different story. According to Pro Football Focus - which, while not gospel, does offer useful trends - he’s posted the three lowest run defense grades of his career during his Giants tenure: 43.8 in 2023, 48.9 in 2024, and 50.2 in 2025.
That’s a troubling pattern, especially for a player who’ll turn 33 next season. Effort and attitude are never in question with Nacho, but at some point, the production has to match the paycheck.
The Bottom Line
Spotrac estimates Nunez-Roches' market value at $9.48 million over two years - about $4.7 million annually. In the grand scheme of a salary cap projected to exceed $300 million, that’s not a back-breaking number. But for a team like the Giants, looking to get younger and more disruptive up front, that money might be better spent elsewhere.
The Giants need fresh legs and more impact in the trenches. Nunez-Roches has been a solid presence, but if the goal is to elevate the defensive front, it might be time to move on and invest in a new wave of interior linemen who can help turn the run defense from a liability into a strength.