Giants roster breakdown: One thought on Abdul Carter and every player on revamped defense

The New York Giants made bigger changes on defense than offense this offseason.

Whereas the offense returns 10 starters , the defense could deploy up to four new starters (defensive tackle Darius Alexander, outside linebacker Abdul Carter, cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland).

But there was slightly less turnover with the defensive depth, as 37% of the 41 defensive players are new compared to 41% new players on offense.

Advertisement With training camp approaching, heres one thought on every member of the Giants defense: Defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence: Lawrence has seen the defensive tackle market explode since he signed a four-year, $90 million extension two years ago.

That contract looks like a bargain now, as eight fellow defensive tackles have since signed deals with a higher annual average value while Lawrence has cemented his status as the leagues premier interior pass rusher.

The four-year, $104 million contract Milton Williams signed with the Patriots this offseason had to get Lawrences attention.

Williams cashed in with the third-richest defensive tackle contract in the league despite having just 11.5 sacks in his four seasons with the Eagles.

Lawrence has 23.5 sacks over that same stretch.

Lawrence is under contract through the 2027 season, but hes only due $59 million in cash over the next three seasons.

That puts him well below Williams $26 million average annual value.

There have been no signs Lawrence is seeking a contract adjustment, and it would be unusual to push for one with three years remaining on his deal.

But the booming defensive tackle market and Lawrences value to the Giants gives the 27-year-old leverage if he chooses to use it.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches: There have been no signs Nunez-Roches roster spot is in jeopardy despite $3.6 million in cap savings available if he gets cut.

Nunez-Roches worked with the first-team defense during the spring, but that could change when Lawrence and rookie Darius Alexander start participating fully.

The organization seems to value Nunez-Roches positive presence, but his role should be reduced after being the No.

2 defensive tackle for most of the past two seasons.

Roy Robertson-Harris: Robertson-Harris joined Nunez-Roches as a starting defensive lineman all spring.

Even on a field full of behemoths, the 6-foot-7, 290-pound Robertson-Harris stands out.

That mass will be needed to strengthen a porous run defense.

Advertisement Darius Alexander: Alexander was sidelined for the entire spring with an undisclosed injury after the Giants picked him in the third round of the draft.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder has the tools to be a force on the defensive line.

The Giants are betting on his impressive showing against stiffer competition at the Senior Bowl to be a better indicator of his NFL potential than his underwhelming production at Toledo.

Alexander, who turns 25 in August, could be an X-factor for the defense this season.

Jeremiah Ledbetter: Ledbetter had a quiet spring, missing one open practice and working with the backups in the others.

The hope is that the ninth-year veteran will be part of an upgraded run defense, but he enters training camp on the roster bubble.

Ledbetter signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with $500,000 guaranteed.

That level of guarantee doesnt ensure him a roster spot, but it will likely work in his favor.

Elijah Chatman: Chatman enjoyed some success last season as an undrafted rookie as the interior defensive lineman playing next to Lawrence on passing downs.

Its harder to see those opportunities this season with Alexander, Abdul Carter and Chauncey Colston added to the equation, but Chatman remained in the first-team mix during the spring.

The Giants may be reluctant to cut a young player with upside, but they also need some run-stuffers on the defensive line.

DJ Davidson: The 320-pound Davidsons size may give him an edge for a roster spot as Lawrences backup at nose tackle.

But Davidson has made minimal impact in his first three seasons, so the Giants should be able to safely pass him to the practice squad while carrying their veteran offseason additions on the active roster.

Jordon Riley: The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Riley looks the part physically, but theres a reason he was only Dane Bruglers 31st-ranked defensive tackle in the 2023 draft class.

Riley hasnt been able to translate his physical gifts to the field, and now hell likely be pushed off the roster by the defensive line upgrades added this offseason.

Advertisement Elijah Garcia: Garcia could be a dark horse for a roster spot after quietly playing well when given an opportunity late last season when most fans had turned their attention to the draft.

Garcia was part of a run defense that surprisingly improved late last season despite injuries to top players like Lawrence and linebacker Bobby Okereke.

The 27-year-old Garcia, who has a $1.1 million cap hit, could represent a cheaper alternative to a veteran like Ledbetter or Nunez-Roches if he impresses this summer.

Cory Durden: Durden was signed off the Rams practice squad in Week 14 when the Giants defensive line was thinned by injuries.

He was immediately inserted into the defensive line rotation, appearing in 32% of the snaps in four games.

Opportunities will be much harder to come by for Durden on a revamped defensive line.

Outside linebackers Brian Burns: When figuring out how the snaps at outside linebacker will be divided, expect Burns to be the least likely to see a significant reduction.

Since becoming a full-time starter in his second season, Burns has played between 75.4% and 86.8% of his teams snaps.

He came in at 79.1% last season, which was second on the defense behind safety Jason Pinnock.

Burns is the teams most accomplished edge rusher, although that could change depending on rookie Abdul Carters development .

The Giants arent paying Burns $28.2 million per year to sit on the bench, so expect his playing time to be in line with his career averages.

Kayvon Thibodeaux: Thibodeaux, who has made no secret about his interest in the business side of the NFL, is in an intriguing position.

Hes been a productive pass rusher, with 21 sacks in his first three seasons, but he hasnt consistently performed like a top-five pick.

The Giants exercised Thibodeauxs $14.8 million fifth-year option for 2026 this offseason, but his future is uncertain.

With major investments in Burns and Carter, Thibodeaux could become the third wheel at edge rusher.

That should facilitate a deep pass rush this season, but Thibodeaux will have to accept a smaller role at the same time as he eyes a lucrative second contract.

Abdul Carter: The parallels between Carter and Dallas Micah Parsons are undeniable.

Both wore No.

11 at Penn State and entered the NFL with more experience as off-ball linebackers with game-wrecking potential.

Another area where Carter could mirror Parsons is his usage early in his career.

Parsons lined up all over the field as a rookie, with more of his snaps coming at off-ball linebacker than edge rusher.

That ratio has flipped dramatically over the past three seasons, with Parsons primarily lining up on the edge.

Carter could follow a similar path, lining up inside on passing downs to maximize the talents of Burns and Thibodeaux this year.

But if Carter is as good as expected, it wont take long until hes being featured as an edge rusher.

Parsons has 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons.

The Giants are hoping the similarities to Carter continue with production like that.

Chauncey Golston: When the Giants signed Golston to a three-year, $18 million contract he appeared to have an obvious fit as a rotational outside linebacker on early downs and as an interior rusher on passing downs.

But the picture is cloudier after the selection of Carter with the No.

3 pick.

Golston had his best season last year in Dallas as his playing time increased and he lined up mostly on the edge.

Its hard to see many snaps on the edge for Golston on passing downs.

As with Thibodeaux, having to find a role for talented pass rushers is a good problem to have, but it will be an area to monitor as the season progresses.

Advertisement Victor Dimukeje: Dimukeje was signed a week into free agency to further fortify the edge depth before the Carter selection.

Dimukeje signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with $1.2 million fully guaranteed, which should afford him job security.

But Dimukeje reportedly tore his pec during spring workouts, so hell likely open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

The Giants could store Dimukeje on the PUP list, and he can provide depth once hes healthy.

Tomon Fox: Fox has defied the odds to last three seasons as an undrafted free agent.

But the clock is running out on Fox after all the outside linebacker investments this offseason.

Trace Ford: Ford, who got $10,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, has athleticism and versatility that could put him in position to make the practice squad.

Inside linebackers Bobby Okereke: Theres been an odd vibe around Okereke this offseason, beginning with reports that he had fallen out of favor with some in the organization and continuing with his unexplained disappearance from practices this spring.

Okereke was brimming with optimism when he spoke to reporters after the teams first OTA practice, but then he wasnt in attendance at any of the next four open practices of the spring.

Coach Brian Daboll doesnt provide injury updates during the spring, so its not clear if Okereke suffered a setback with the back injury that sidelined him for the final five games of last season.

There are some parallels to linebacker Blake Martinezs unexpected release before the 2022 season, but the main difference is Okereke was brought in by this regime.

There would be no financial benefit to cutting Okereke, and hes still superior to the alternatives on the roster despite a down 2024 season.

When the dust settles, the Giants need Okereke to return to the disruptive form he displayed in 2023.

Micah McFadden: McFadden has developed into a reliable run-stopper, ranking 41st in the NFL with 204 tackles over the past two seasons.

That ranking is particularly impressive because McFadden comes off the field on third down unlike many of the leagues most prolific tacklers.

McFadden reduced his missed tackle rate from 20.7% in 2023 to 13.7% last season.

Giving McFadden, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, a reasonable extension should be a priority so the Giants can retain a quality homegrown player.

Darius Muasau: The Giants are high on Muasau internally after the sixth-round picks rookie season.

Muasau looked overmatched early last season, but he was much better when he got a featured role after Okerekes injury late in the season.

Muasau could be in line to replace Okereke in 2026.

Advertisement Chris Board: The Giants gave Board a two-year, $5.7 million contract in free agency.

That represents the biggest investment in a special teamer during Schoens tenure.

When Schoen talks about having more financial flexibility, hes talking about spending on players like Board.

The eighth-year veteran should upgrade an area that has been an underrated weakness in recent seasons.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles: Flannigan-Fowles signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with $442,500 guaranteed after spending the previous five seasons as a core special teamer for the 49ers.

Flannigan-Fowles also regularly saw time on defense as a backup linebacker in San Francisco, so he adds more veteran depth there.

Dyontae Johnson: Johnson was surprisingly buried on the third-team defense in the spring despite Okereke and Flannigan-Fowles being sidelined.

Johnson made a strong impression early in training camp last year, but he suffered an ankle injury in the preseason opener that landed him on injured reserve to start the season.

Johnson was ready to return early in the season, but he was kept on IR until Week 17.

Johnson recorded 11 tackles in the season finale, but that momentum didnt carry into the offseason.

Johnson will need to unseat established special teamers like Flannigan-Fowles and Ty Summers to earn a roster spot.

Ty Summers: Summers started last season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster in Week 4 after the team exhausted his three game-day elevations.

He was a core special teamer all season and was stout against the run in late-season action at linebacker.

The Giants re-signed Summers to a minimum contract with just $25,000 guaranteed.

He could be in line for a similar journey this season by again starting on the practice squad.

Cornerbacks Paulson Adebo: Adebo suffered a broken femur last October.

Thats a rare injury that could have derailed his career, but the 25-year-old wasnt even on a pitch count in the spring, which is particularly notable considering how conservative the Giants are with injuries in the offseason.

The Giants confidence in Adebos health was evident when they signed him to a three-year, $54 million contract in March.

Adebos seven interceptions over the past two seasons are tied for eighth-most in the NFL despite him missing the final 10 games of last season.

Deonte Banks: Banks struggles last season validated concerns league sources expressed to The Athletic about the first-round pick during the 2023 pre-draft process.

Banks was viewed strictly as a man corner by an executive and a coach from different teams.

The executive cautioned putting too much on Banks plate, while the coach echoed that Banks would be best suited for a simple man-heavy defense.

That made Banks a good fit as a rookie for former defensive coordinator Wink Martindales system.

But Banks warts showed in Shane Bowens more complicated zone defenses last season.

The scheme change combined with the challenge of covering opponents No.

1 receivers led to a disastrous second season that Banks compounded with effort lapses .

The hope for the Giants is that the addition of Adebo helps alleviate some pressure for Banks.

But Bowen will need to mix in more man coverage to get the best out of Banks.

Advertisement Dru Phillips: Phillips immediately displayed aggressiveness as a run defender as a rookie, recording seven tackles for a loss from the slot.

That was tied for the fourth-most TFLs in the league among cornerbacks.

Phillips was only exposed badly in coverage in a Week 7 game against the Steelers, but he failed to make plays on the ball throughout the season.

Opponents completed 82% of their passes with Phillips in coverage, which was the second-highest mark among corners.

Phillips interception in Week 17 was his lone pass defended last season.

Phillips debut was promising, but there is room for growth in his second season.

Dru Phillips brings him down : FOX pic.twitter.com/47iqrPrgiW New York Giants (@Giants) September 15, 2024 CorDale Flott: Flott surprisingly was in a competition with Banks for the starting corner job opposite Adebo during the spring.

Flott looked more comfortable on the outside last season after mostly playing in the slot in 2023.

Assuming Banks heeds the spring wake-up call, Flott should land in an ideal role as the top backup at every corner spot.

Tre Hawkins: It was a microcosm of Hawkins short career that he played his best game in Week 14 last season six tackles, two passes defended, one interception but suffered a fractured lumbar spine that knocked him out for the rest of the season.

Hawkins was a full participant in the spring and was a fixture on the second-team defense.

Hawkins needs to become a contributor on special teams and a more consistent professional overall to maintain his spot on the roster.

Art Green: Green spent the first 10 weeks of last season on the practice squad before getting promoted when the Giants cut Nick McCloud.

Green assumed McClouds core role on special teams, finishing seventh on the team in special teams snaps despite only being active for nine games.

Green made some nice plays as a gunner in punt coverage.

Hell need that to continue to earn a roster spot.

Dee Williams: Someone is going to make the roster as the second returner alongside Ihmir Smith-Marsette with kickoff returns taking on greater importance due to the rule change to move touchbacks to the 35-yard line.

Williams will be in the mix for that role after serving as the Seahawks returner last season as a rookie before getting cut due to ball security issues.

Korie Black: Blacks size (6-foot, 190 pounds) and speed (4.35-second 40-yard dash) should translate instantly to a role on special teams for the seventh-round pick.

Black blocked two field goals and returned another blocked field goal for a touchdown while at Oklahoma State.

Nic Jones: The Giants signed Jones in February after he spent last season on the Chiefs practice squad.

Jones, who was the second-team slot corner all spring, saw consistent action on special teams as a rookie for the Chiefs in 2023.

Jones could have a shot at a roster spot if he impresses in the kicking game during the preseason.

Advertisement ODonnell Fortune: Fortune received $165,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, which gives him a good shot at landing on the practice squad.

The South Carolina product has firsthand knowledge of rookie quarterback Jaxson Darts potential after battling against him last season.

Fortune twice bit on double moves leading to big gains in Ole Miss 27-3 win.

TJ Moore: Moore signed with the Giants after a rookie minicamp tryout.

Rookie minicamp tryout signings have a surprisingly strong track record with this regime, as Chatman made the active roster last season, while defensive lineman Ryder Anderson appeared in seven games in 2022.

The odds are longer for Moore, who was the third-team slot corner all spring, while also getting some reps at safety when the team was shorthanded at the position.

Safeties Jevon Holland: The Giants signed Holland to a three-year, $45.3 million contract this offseason with the hope that hell return to the form of his first three seasons with the Dolphins when he was considered one of the leagues best safeties.

Holland had a down year in 2024, but theres reason to believe the 25-year-old will bounce back.

Holland has a versatile skill set that will be valuable in Bowens scheme.

Having Holland and Tyler Nubin as interchangeable pieces will allow Bowen to throw more disguises at offenses.

Tyler Nubin: Nubin was at his best as a run defender as a rookie, making physical tackles at the line of scrimmage regularly.

Meanwhile, his lack of ball production was puzzling after he set the Minnesota school record with 13 career interceptions, while adding 24 passes defended in five college seasons.

Nubin didnt record an interception as a rookie and only notched a single pass defended in 790 snaps.

It will be a game-changer if Nubin rediscovers his ball-hawking form in his second season.

Dane Belton: Players drafted after the first round are eligible for proven performance escalators in their fourth season based on their playing time in their first three seasons.

It can be a nice bump, as Flotts base salary increased from $1.1 million to $3.4 million because he played in over 35% of the Giants defensive snaps over the past two seasons.

Belton fell painfully shy of earning the escalator.

He appeared in 41.9% of the defensive snaps last season, 26.2% in 2023 and 34.5% in 2022.

As a fourth-round pick, Belton needed to play in at least 35% of the defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons to trigger the $2.3 million raise.

Theres no rounding up in the formula, so Belton missed reaching the threshold by 0.5% of the snaps in 2022.

Thats a difference of six snaps over the entire season.

Raheem Layne: Layne tore his ACL midway through the 2023 season while playing for the Chargers.

He signed with the Giants during training camp last year, spending the first 14 weeks of the season on the practice squad.

He got an opportunity to play defensive snaps on Week 16, but he tore his meniscus in that game and missed the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old was with the second-team defense all spring, putting him in position to push for a roster spot.

Anthony Johnson Jr.: Johnson was the Giants lone waiver claim after cut day last year.

He played 303 defensive snaps for the Packers as a rookie in 2023, but was a surprise cut last year after they drafted three safeties.

Johnson was a healthy scratch for eight games and only played 21 defensive snaps last season.

He missed the entire spring with a shoulder injury, so his status is unclear heading into training camp.

Advertisement Makari Paige: Paige is uniquely prepared for the transition to NFL defenses after playing for three coordinators at Michigan who have held the same role in the league: Wink Martindale, Jesse Minter and Mike Macdonald.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Paige, who received $165,000 guaranteed as an undrafted free agent, has impressive physical traits to develop.

Specialists K Graham Gano: Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial said this spring he was encouraged by Gano returning to form in the final three games of last season.

Gano went 3-for-3 on field goals and 8-for-8 on extra points in those games.

The field goals were from 25, 30 and 53 yards away.

That seems like a light showing to restore confidence in Gano, who has made just 71.4% of his field goals over the past two seasons.

Thats the lowest percentage in the league among kickers with at least 20 attempts.

Compounding matters, he has missed 16 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.

The Giants could have cut ties with Gano this offseason to create $3.2 million in cap savings, but they instead declined to bring in any competition for the 38-year-old.

Thats a lot of faith to put in a kicker with Ganos recent track record.

K Jude McAtamney: McAtamney should remain as an international exemption on the practice squad.

The strong-legged 25-year-old is on a developmental track that should have him positioned to compete for the kicking job whenever the Giants dump Gano.

P Jamie Gillan: Its important to consider the elements when evaluating punting stats.

Punting in the swirling winds of the Meadowlands is far more challenging than in warm weather or domes.

So, Gillan is unlikely to ever rank among the league leaders in punt yardage, but he was effective in the field position battle last season.

Gillan dropped 48.2% of his punts inside the opponents 20-yard line, which ranked eighth, while 3.6% of his punts were touchbacks, which was third-best in the league.

That production earned Gillan a three-year, $9 million extension this offseason, which ties at No.

6 among the leagues highest-paid punters.

LS Casey Kreiter: Theres little to say about a long snapper who almost never has a bad snap.

Kreiter is back after signing a sixth straight one-year contract.

(Photo: John Jones / Imagn Images).

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