The Giants are the surprise breakout team pick to many next season with the addition of head coach John Harbaugh and with starting QB Jaxson Dart heading into year 2 on the job. The offense could be stout led by the dual threat Dart and standout players such as Andrew Thomas, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers. The defense of the team could be very good as well led by young players such as Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter. Here I will go into detail assessing the front seven personnel of the Giants as the 2026 season approaches.
Set to start at the first of the two edge defender spots is the newly acquired Shelby Harris who is an above average NFL starter. Harris has graded in the above average range among players at his position in every single season he has played thus far in the NFL. He is often well above average to elite in that regard as well grading in the top ten among players at his position on two separate occasions. However, Harris will play next season at 35 years old and had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025 although still playing well. So perhaps Harris can transition to a reserve role at some point during the 2026 season given his age.
Another newly acquired player in former Bengal and Lion D.J Reader is set to start at nose tackle for the team next season. Reader is a very good player at the position also having graded in the above average to elite range in every season he has played thus far in the NFL. But just like Harris, Reader will play next season at the relatively advanced age of 32 and has now consistently seen his production for the most part decline for three straight seasons after having a career year in 2022 and turning 30. However, he should still be in or around his prime next season for the Giants and is a very strong option to start for the team.
Starting at the other primary edge defender spot is 2025 3rd rounder Darius Alexander who struggled as a rookie, but who will be in line to improve heading into year 2. Alexander graded among the worst players at his position during the 2025 season but was still drafted pretty high and did not even get a chance to play starter snaps. Head coach John Harbaugh must believe in his potential quite a bit to still list him as the starter despite his poor rookie outing.
Former 1st rounder Brian Burns is set to start at the first of the linebacker spots and is a very productive player. Burns has made three pro bowls and a second team All-Pro on one occasion as well. Burns is not a superstar but is perhaps the next closest thing and provides the Giants with a very strong player to start up front for them.
2026 5th overall pick Arvell Reese is set to start at the next linebacker spot for the Giants heading into the 2026 season. Reese was universally regarded as one of the premier defensive prospects entering the draft and was taken in the top five which is rare for a linebacker. Reese will likely see his rookie growing pains although he could blossom into a star eventually.
Tremaine Edmunds is also set to start for New York heading into the 2026 season at linebacker but is one of the current weak links in their starting front seven although he has some talent. In eight seasons in the NFL Edmunds has graded above average among players at his position only twice but was borderline elite in doing so once with the other occasion being during the 2025 season. Edmunds is likely better suited as a reserve given his talent but inconsistencies. However, if he can come into his own under the Giants’ new coaching staff, he could be a very good starter.
2025 3rd overall pick Abdul Carter rounds out the Giants’ starting front seven lineup and is coming off a strong rookie season and is line to become a potential superstar. Carter was viewed as a generational pass rushing/defensive prospect entering the NFL and he is on track to live up to those expectations thus far in the league. Carter graded in the top 25% among players at his position during his rookie season which is no small feat.
From a depth standpoint in the front seven the Giants have some notable names that could provide the team with some high-end caliber reserve play and/or could eventually step into the starting lineup. Former third round linebacker/edge defender Chauncey Golston has shown some promise in the NFL although lacking consistency. 2023 3rd round defensive lineman Zacch Pickens was drafted quite high and although he has looked very subpar thus far in the NFL, he still has talent and still has not had enough of a chance to prove himself yet. 2022 6th round defensive lineman Sam Roberts got off to a rocky start to his career but has played at a borderline elite level over the past two seasons albeit in very limited snaps. 2022 1st round linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was drafted very highly and has played at an above average level thus far in the NFL although not being elite like the Giants hoped he would be, however. Perhaps he can come into his own under the Giants’ new coaching staff. While the likes of Khalid Kareem, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Josh Tupou all have talent as well and could provide the team with some high-end reserve play.
The Giants could have an elite front seven that ranks among the best in the game next season if the young/unproven/inconsistent players play to their potential. A breakdown of the Giants’ front seven heading into next season can be found below.
2026 Projected Giants’ Front Seven
LDE – Shelby Harris – B to B+, aging
NT – D.J Reader – B+ to A-
RDE – Darius Alexander – 2025 3rd rounder, D- as rookie
WLB – Brian Burns – B+
LILB – Arvell Reese – 2026 5th overall pick
RILB – Tremaine Edmunds – C+
SLB – Abdul Carter – 2026 3rd overall pick, B to B+ as rookie
As you can see above the Giants’ starting front seven has little to no holes and the only holes one could point to are the youth of Darius Alexander and Arvell Reese along with the inconsistent play of Tremaine Edmunds. However, Alexander is heading into year 2 in the NFL after being drafted quite high, Arvell Reese was one of the top defensive prospects entering the draft and could come into his own as the season progresses, while Tremaine Edmunds does have a high ceiling as a defensive player. The Giants’ have minimal holes in their starting front seven and the high-end talent they possess in the unit ranks up there with any team as well. While the holes they have are correctable especially with the team having multiple strong reserve players who could step into the starting lineup and plug those holes if need be
2026 Notable Giants’ Reserve Front Seven PlayersÂ
LB – Chauncey Golston – C+ to B-
ED/DL – Zacch Pickens – 2023 3rd rounder, D so far, still has not had enough chance to prove himself
LB – Kayvon Thibodeaux – 2022 1st rounder, B to B- so far
DL – Sam Roberts – B+, very limited snaps, elite as of late after poor start to career
ED – Roy Robertson-Harris – C+
ED – Khalid Kareem – B+, limited snaps
DL – Josh Tupou – C+ to B-
