The Giants’ preseason kicks off Saturday in Buffalo, and while the spotlight will naturally gravitate toward Russell Wilson and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, there’s a growing feeling inside the building that the real difference-makers this season could be wearing numbers in the 90s and 50s, not standing under center.
Head coach Brian Daboll is entering his third year in New York with expectations that have shifted from “fix the offense” to simply “find a way to win.” That might mean leaning heavily on a defense that’s been rebuilt with a blend of proven star power and fresh talent.
Last season, New York’s defense finished 24th overall, but Dexter Lawrence II still earned respect around the league for his ability to collapse pockets and stuff the run. The 342-pound Pro Bowler led the team with nine sacks and often forced offenses to game-plan around him. Now, he’s got some serious backup.
Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, brings edge speed and power that already has teammates buzzing. At Penn State, he racked up 12 sacks in his final season. Since arriving in East Rutherford, he’s shown flashes of being the type of defender who makes tackles for loss a weekly occurrence.
“Putting Abdul opposite Brian Burns changes everything,” a rival scout told Athlon Sports. “If you can’t slide protection toward Lawrence without leaving one of those guys one-on-one, you’re in trouble.”
Secondary Help at Last
A year ago, the Giants’ pass rush often ran out of time before it could get home. That’s why the front office signed veteran corner Paulson Adebo from New Orleans and added safety Jevon Holland. Early camp practices suggest those moves are paying off – the secondary has picked off Russell Wilson multiple times and tightened up coverage windows.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has also bulked up the rotation with run-stoppers like Chauncey Golston and rookie Darius Alexander, giving the unit a better shot at forcing third-and-long situations. And that’s where Lawrence, Burns, and Carter can feast.
Ready for Buffalo Test
Saturday’s preseason opener in Buffalo is more than just a warm-up. For Carter, it’s a first chance to hit someone in another jersey. For Lawrence, it’s about setting the tone for a group that knows it can’t repeat last year’s defensive ranking if the Giants want to be relevant come December.
There’s no guarantee Wilson and the offense will light up the scoreboard in 2025. But if this defensive front delivers, New York might just have enough muscle to change the conversation.
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