- Head Coach: Brian Daboll (fourth season)
- PFF projected win total: 5.5
- 2024 Record: 3-14 (fourth in NFC East)
Biggest strength: Defensive Line
New York’s defensive line has the potential to be a matchup nightmare. Dexter Lawrence is the NFL’s highest-graded defensive tackle over the past three seasons, and he anchors a front that could be among the league’s best. The edge rotation—featuring Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Chauncey Golston and first-round pick Abdul Carter—offers a blend of speed, power and versatility. With that much talent up front, the Giants have all the tools to consistently disrupt games in the trenches.
Biggest weakness: Offensive Line
Questions remain about the Giants’ offensive line after the unit finished 28th in PFF grade last season — and most of the group returns. A healthy Andrew Thomas at left tackle would be a major boost after two injury-plagued years. Veterans Jon Runyan and Greg Van Roten are back at guard, but both graded below average in 2024. Center John Michael Schmitz Jr. posted the fourth-lowest pass-blocking grade among qualified players at his position, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor has earned a 70.0-plus PFF grade in just one of his eight seasons.
Quarterback spotlight: Russell Wilson
- 2024 PFF Grade: 79.5
- Key Stat: 97.3 deep passing grade, the best in the NFL (min. 20 attempts)
After missing the first six weeks of last season due to injury, Russell Wilson helped guide the Steelers to the playoffs with steady, efficient play. His signature deep ball remained a strength. His 97.3 passing grade on throws of 20-plus air yards led all qualified quarterbacks. Wilson also continued to take care of the football, tying Lamar Jackson for the second-lowest turnover-worthy play rate (1.6%) among qualified passers.
Offensive player: WR Malik Nabers
Despite the Giants’ unstable quarterback play, Nabers flashed star potential in his rookie season. He finished with the second-most targets and third-most receptions in the NFL, earning an impressive 87.1 receiving grade. Nabers was equally dangerous after the catch, forcing 19 missed tackles, seventh-most among all wide receivers.
Defensive player: DI Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence is arguably the best nose tackle in the NFL. Over the past three seasons, he leads all interior defenders with a 93.4 overall grade and a 90.4 run-defense grade. He also ranks second only to Chris Jones with a 93.1 pass-rush grade in that span. While injuries limited his 2024 season, Lawrence remains an immovable force when healthy.
Rookie to watch: EDGE Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter enters the NFL with plenty of hype, thanks to his elite pass-rush production at Penn State and a playstyle reminiscent of Micah Parsons. He ranked second among all FBS edge defenders last season with a 92.4 pass-rush grade and 66 total pressures. A former linebacker, Carter has the versatility to win from any stance and align across multiple gaps. His skill set not only brings high-end talent to the Giants’ front but also gives defensive coordinator Shane Bowen a new schematic weapon.
Fantasy Spotlight: RB Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Skattebo was the slowest among the top 11 projected rookie running backs, averaging a max speed of 0.7 miles per hour less than the next closest running back. However, his large size relative to his height makes him great at converting first downs. His 33.6% first downs per attempt was the highest among the same top 11 backs in the class. He landed with the New York Giants, where there is a chance he could win both the early-down and receiving back roles, despite being drafted in the fourth round. His great play on non-perfectly blocked runs, given the Giants' offensive line, should give him an edge over the other New York running backs.
Best Bet: RB Cam Skattebo — over 3.5 rushing touchdowns (-115)
Even though Skattebo will share the backfield with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, he will play a crucial role in the Giants’ short-yardage offense. Tracy and Singletary struggled to score near the goal line last season. Conversely, Skattebo excelled in goal-to-go situations over the past two seasons in college, having converted 22 touchdowns, tied for the second most in the FBS.
Bottom line
The Giants have a wealth of defensive potential and a significantly improved quarterback situation. If their offensive line can find a way to improve upon last season’s poor performance, New York is a dark-horse playoff contender. If that unit doesn’t perform well, the offense could stagnate too often for them to win games.
© 2026 PFF - all rights reserved.