The Giants' defense has undergone significant changes this offseason, starting with the hiring of Shane Bowen to lead the unit.
The former Titans defensive coordinator will now rely more on the front four to produce pressure on the quarterback as opposed to blitzing at a high rate. In Tennessee last year, Bowen's defense had a blitz rate of 20.4 percent, which ranked 24th in the league (compared to the Giants' 46.2 percent blitz rate, the second-highest in the NFL).
Based on the new system, the defense will lean heavily on its edge defenders to get after the quarterback. This is why it should not come as a surprise that the Giants' biggest splash of the offseason came in the acquisition of outside linebacker Brian Burns in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
"Productive player, young player," coach Brian Daboll said about Burns at the NFL Annual Meeting. "I'm happy that Joe (Schoen) ended up getting that deal done. I know Shane is as well and Charlie (Bullen), our new outside linebacker coach. I had a chance to meet Burns when he came up and signed, and he's a good man. It will be good to get him in and get him working and introduced to our program and our values and things that we believe in. I credit really Joe. Joe did an outstanding job."
In his introductory press conference, Burns told Giants fans what they can expect from the two-time Pro Bowler.
"They're getting somebody that's coming to work, always be professional, always be a pro, that's number one," Burns said. "Other than that, I'm coming to work, I'm relentless. They're getting a playmaker. They're just getting a guy that's really going to enjoy the process, take it day by day. I really take a lot of pride in getting better. I feel like I can learn from a lot of cats, especially on this team. Other than that, I'm a team guy, always been a team guy. I'm a natural leader. I'm just ready to get to work and ready to get with these guys."
Burns will now play opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux, who enjoyed a breakout campaign that saw him reach double-digit sacks in his second season. They will combine to create a formidable pass-rushing duo on the edge, something the former Carolina Panther is very much looking forward to.
"As far as us being similar, I would say our body types are somewhat similar," Burns said about Thibodeaux. "Other than that, he can burn the edge, but I do know that he's a little more prone to get into that long-arm, that power a little bit more. I definitely think we could complement each other more in practice, because I feel like he could teach me some things, I could teach him some things, and we could really bounce ideas off of each other. That's really how pass rushers come up with a lot of their moves and their plans for that week. I think that will be the main thing is the IQ."
Below is a look at the state of the Giants' edge defenders, beginning with last year's game-by-game starters:
| Opp | DE | RUSH |
|---|---|---|
| DAL | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @ARI | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @SF | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| SEA | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @MIA | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @BUF | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| WAS | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| NYJ | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @LV | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @DAL | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @WAS | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| NE | Jihad Ward | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| GB | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @NO | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| @PHI | -- | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| LAR | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
| PHI | Azeez Ojulari | Kayvon Thibodeaux |
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2024 cycle.
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (January 4)
T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 4)
OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (January 4)
DL Armon Watts - Reserve/Injured (January 3)
C Austin Schlottmann - Activated, from Reserve (December 28)
DL Armon Watts - Activated, from Reserve (December 28)
OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 28)
S Raheem Layne - Reserve/Injured (December 28)
DB Alex Cook - Practice Squad Exception (December 26)
DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (December 26)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Activated, from Reserve (December 24)
DL Casey Rogers - Waived, No Recall (December 24)
DL Armon Watts - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 24)
T Ricky Lee - Practice Squad (December 23)
S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 21)
OLB Patrick Johnson - Reserve/Injured (December 21)
ILB Bobby Okereke - Reserve/Injured (December 21)
OLB Boogie Basham - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 21)
T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 21)
QB Tim Boyle - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (December 14)
G Jon Runyan Jr. - Reserve/Injured (December 14)
S Raheem Layne - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 14)
CB Divaad Wilson - Free Agent Signing from ARZ Practice Squad (December 11)
S Tyler Nubin - Reserve/Injured (December 11)
C Austin Schlottmann - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 11)
T Jalen McKenzie - Practice Squad (December 11)
CB Greg Stroman - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 10)
CB Tre Hawkins - Reserve/Injured (December 10)
DL Ross Blacklock - Practice Squad Veteran (December 10)
QB Tim Boyle - Practice Squad Veteran (December 10)
CB Ekow Boye-Doe - Practice Squad (December 10)
CB Azizi Hearn - Practice Squad (December 10)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad; Injured (December 10)
DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 7)
DL Elijah Garcia - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (December 7)
DL D.J. Davidson - Reserve/Injured (December 7)
QB Tim Boyle - Waived, No Recall (December 7)
T Tyre Phillips - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 7)
CB Greg Stroman - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (December 7)
DB Dee Williams - Claimed off Waivers from SEA (December 6)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (December 4)
DT Cory Durden - Free Agent Signing from LAR Practice Squad (December 2)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Reserve/Injured (December 2)
TE Theo Johnson - Reserve/Injured (December 2)
OLB Tomon Fox - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 27)
DL Armon Watts - Reserve/Injured (November 27)
T Joshua Miles - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 27)
CB Greg Stroman Jr. - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 27)
TE Greg Dulcich - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (November 26)
OLB Azeez Ojulari - Reserve/Injured (November 26)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exemption (November 26)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Activated, from Reserve (November 23)
QB Tim Boyle - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 23)
OLB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (November 23)
QB Daniel Jones - Waived, No Recall (November 23)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Designated for Return / Returned to Practice (November 20)
TE Jordan Murray - Practice Squad (November 20)
T Tyre Phillips - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)
QB Tim Boyle - Practice Squad Veteran (November 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
T Garret Greenfield - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 19)
T Joshua Miles - Practice Squad Veteran (November 12)
T Joshua Miles - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 6)
P Matt Haack - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (November 12)
K Graham Gano - Activated from Injured Reserve (November 9)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)
LB Curtis Bolton - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 9)
CB Art Green - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (November 6)
C Bryan Hudson - Practice Squad (November 6)
P Matt Haack - Practice Squad Veteran (November 6)
K Graham Gano - Designated for Return/Returned to Practice (November 6)
CB Nick McCloud - Waived, No Recall (November 5)
P Matt Haack - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (November 5)
OLB Tomon Fox - Free Agent Signing from NYG PS (November 2)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (November 2)
K Greg Joseph - Reserve/Injured (November 2)
K Jude McAtamney - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (November 2)
T Marcellus Johnson - Practice Squad (October 30)
T Garret Greenfield - Practice Squad (October 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 30)
S Gervarrius Owens - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 29)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
CB Greg Stroman - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 28)
OLB Boogie Basham - Practice Squad Veteran (October 24)
DL Armon Watts - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (October 22)
OLB Boogie Basham - Waived, No Recall (October 22)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 19)
OT Chris Hubbard - Free Agent Signing (from SF Practice Squad) (October 18)
OT Andrew Thomas - Reserve/Injured (October 16)
DT Armon Watts - Practice Squad Veteran (October 15)
CB Duke Shelley - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 15)
P Matt Haack - Free Agent Signing (October 12)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - Reserve/Injured (October 12)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)
RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 12)
OLB Benton Whitley - Practice Squad (October 8)
G Cade Mays - Signed to CAR Active Roster from NYG Practice Squad (October 8)
ILB Matthew Adams - Activated from Injured Reserve (October 5)
OLB Benton Whitley - Waived, No Recall (October 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)
RB Dante Miller - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (October 5)
LB Matthew Adams - Returned to Practice (October 2)
WR Kearis Jackson - Practice Squad (October 1)
CB Greg Stroman - Practice Squad Veteran (October 1)
TE Joel Wilson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)
DB Alex Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (October 1)
TE Lawrence Cager - Terminated (Injury Settlement) from Practice Squad (October 1)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
CB Duke Shelley - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 26)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 25)
LB Ty Summers - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (September 25)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 24)
TE Joel Wilson - Practice Squad (September 24)
TE Lawrence Cager - Practice Squad; Injured (September 24)
CB Art Green - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
LB Patrick Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (September 17)
K Greg Joseph - Free Agent Signing from DET Practice Squad (September 17)
K Graham Gano - Reserve/Injured (September 17)
WR Gunner Olszewski - Reserve/Injured (September 14)
OLB Tomon Fox - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 14)
WR Chase Cota - Waived, Injury Settlement (September 13)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (September 10)
G Cade Mays - Practice Squad Exception (September 10)
OT Marcellus Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 10)
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Free Agent Signing (September 9)
LB Curtis Bolton - Practice Squad Veteran (September 9)
LB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad; Injured (September 9)
LB Ty Summers - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Carter Coughlin - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 7)
LB Curtis Bolton - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 7)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Practice Squad Veteran (September 6)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 6)
ILB Carter Coughlin - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (September 5)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 4)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (September 3)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Practice Squad Veteran (September 2)
WR Miles Boykin - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (September 2)
CB Adoree' Jackson - Free Agent Signing (August 31)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 31)
S Gervarrius Owens - Practice Squad (August 30)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 30)
FB/TE Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing from NYG Practice Squad (August 29)
C Austin Schlottmann - Reserve/Injured (August 29)
DB Duke Shelley - Practice Squad Veteran (August 29)
DE Elijah Garcia - Practice Squad (August 29)
DB Art Green - Practice Squad (August 29)
LB Curtis Bolton - Free Agent Signing (August 28)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Practice Squad Exception (August 28)
K Jude McAtamney - International Practice Player Signing (August 28)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, OT Joshua Miles, LB Ty Summers - Practice Squad Veteran (August 28)
LB K.J. Cloyd, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, RB Dante Miller, DL Casey Rogers - Practice Squad (August 28)
S Anthony Johnson - Claimed off Waivers from GB (August 28)
S Gervarrius Owens - Waived, No Recall (August 28)
LB Matthew Adams - Reserve/Injured - Designated for Return (August 27)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Reserve/Injured; Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
LB Darrian Beavers, LB K.J. Cloyd, LB Tomon Fox, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, DB Raheem Layne, K Jude McAtamney, RB Dante Miller, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Casey Rogers, TE Jack Stoll - Waived (August 27)
WR Miles Boykin, TE Lawrence Cager, DB Tre Herndon, WR Isaiah Hodgins, DB Darnay Holmes, FB/TE Jakob Johnson, DB David Long, OT Joshua Miles, OT Matt Nelson, WR Allen Robinson - Terminated, Vested Veteran (August 27)
DB Mario Goodrich, G Jalen Mayfield, DE Ovie Oghoufo - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 27)
RB Joshua Kelley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Breon Borders - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 25)
DB Jonathan Sutherland - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
DT Timmy Horne - Waived, Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 25)
WR Ayir Asante, DT Kyler Baugh, DB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, T Marcus McKethan - Waived, No Recall (August 25)
DB Clayton Isbell - Free Agent Signing (August 20)
WR Dennis Houston - Waived/Injured (August 20)
DT Kyler Baugh - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
LB Trey Kiser - Free Agent Signing (August 19)
DL Ryder Anderson - Waived/Injured (August 19)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Injured (August 19)
TE/FB Jakob Johnson - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
TE Tyree Jackson - Waived/Injured, Prior to Cut to 53 (August 16)
RB Joshua Kelley - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Raheem Layne - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
S Jonathan Sutherland - Free Agent Signing (August 15)
DL Jordan Phillips - Traded to Dallas Cowboys (August 15)
S Jalen Mills - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (August 15)
DB Elijah Riley - Reserve/Injured (August 15)
RB Lorenzo Lingard - Free Agent Signing (August 12)
RB Jacob Saylors - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
OT Evan Neal - Passed Physical (August 11)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Waived, No Recall (August 11)
LB K.J. Cloyd - Free Agent Signing (August 11)
CB Christian Holmes - Claimed off Waivers from WAS (August 5)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived/Injured (August 5)
CB Mario Goodrich - Claimed off Waivers from PHI (July 31)
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Non-Football Injury (July 31)
OL Greg Van Roten - Free Agent Signing (July 30)
CB Aaron Robinson - Waived, Failed Physical (July 30)
DB Breon Borders - Free Agent Signing (July 28)
QB Nathan Rourke - Waived, No Recall (July 28)
TE Theo Johnson - Passed Physical (July 28)
OT Evan Neal - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 23)
DB Jalen Mills - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 23)
TE Theo Johnson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 16)
RB Jacob Saylors - Free Agent Signing (June 18)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Injured (June 18)
CB Tre Herndon - Free Agent Signing (June 12)
TE Darren Waller - Reserve/Retired (June 10)
S Tyler Nubin - Selection List Signing (May 31)
DB Elijah Riley - Free Agent Signing (May 30)
RB Gary Brightwell - Waived, Injured (May 30)
TE Theo Johnson - Selection List Signing (May 22)
LB Darius Muasau - Selection List Signing (May 15)
CB Dru Phillips - Selection List Signing (May 14)
DL Elijah Chatman - Free Agent Signing (May 13)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Waived (May 13)
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. - Selection List Signing (May 10)
WR Malik Nabers - Selection List Signing (May 10)
K Jude McAtamney - Free Agent Signing: Exempt/International Player (May 10)
WR Ayir Asante, WR John Jiles, DB Alex Johnson, OT Marcellus Johnson, G Jake Kubas, DE Ovie Oghoufo, DL Casey Rogers - Free Agent Signing (May 10)
RB Deon Jackson - Waived, Injured (May 10)
WR Allen Robinson - Free Agent Signing (May 9)
QB Nathan Rourke - Claimed off waivers from New England (May 7)
DB David Long - Free Agent Signing (May 1)
Giants select LB Darius Muasau with No. 183 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. with No. 166 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select TE Theo Johnson with No. 107 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select CB Dru Phillips with No. 70 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select S Tyler Nubin with No. 47 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Giants select WR Malik Nabers with No. 6 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
DB Nick McCloud - Restricted Free Agent Signing (April 15)
LB Matthew Adams - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 12)
DL Jordan Phillips - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 11)
WR Miles Boykin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 9)
S/LB Isaiah Simmons - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 5)
RB Dante Miller - Free Agent Signing (April 5)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Free Agent Signing (March 24)
CB Darnay Holmes - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OT Matt Nelson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 22)
OL Austin Schlottmann - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
OL Aaron Stinnie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 18)
TE Chris Manhertz - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
TE Jack Stoll - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 15)
OL Jon Runyan - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OL Jermaine Eluemunor - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
RB Devin Singletary - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
QB Drew Lock - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
DB Jalen Mills - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR Isaiah McKenzie - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
WR/PR Gunner Olszewski - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
LB Carter Coughlin - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 14)
OLB Brian Burns - Acquired via trade with Carolina Panthers (March 13)
LB Benton Whitley - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 12)
G Mark Glowinski - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 4)
C Jimmy Morrissey - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
WR Chase Cota - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
LB Tomon Fox - Reserve/Future Signing (January 10)
DL Ryder Anderson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Yodny Cajuste - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Kaleb Hayes - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
WR Dennis Houston - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
RB Deon Jackson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
ILB Dyontae Johnson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OLB Jeremiah Martin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
G Jalen Mayfield - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
OT Joshua Miles - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver - Reserve/Future Signing (January 8)
THE NEWCOMER
Brian Burns
Previous Team: Carolina Panthers
Career: 80 G, 67 GS
Burns, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, was originally the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers and has registered 46 sacks in 80 career games. His sack total is tied for 12th in the NFL since he entered the league while his 59 tackles for loss are tied for the sixth-most in that span. It took him only five seasons to climb all the way up to fifth on the Panthers' all-time sack list. He has also recorded 95 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Burns is one of just eight players in NFL history to have at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first five seasons (Reggie White, Derrick Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Aaron Donald, Ryan Kerrigan, and Yannick Ngakoue). Burns' best season came in 2022 when he posted career-highs in sacks (12.5) and quarterback hits (22) on his way to his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
THE RETURNEES
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Career: 31 G, 31 GS
Thibodeaux enjoyed a breakout sophomore season last year as he registered 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles, all of which set new career-highs. He also had four passes defensed and finished with 50 total tackles (26 solo) along with 44 total pressures.
The 23-year-old started 14 games in his first season and had four sacks, two forced fumbles, five passes defensed, six tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. He finished fourth in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Azeez Ojulari
Career: 35 G, 25 GS
For the second consecutive season, Injuries derailed Ojulari's campaign. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound outside linebacker was limited to just 11 games with seven starts in 2023 and finished with 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and seven quarterback hits. This came one year after he picked up 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in only seven games (five starts).
Ojulari's strongest season came back in 2021 when he recorded eight sacks and 13 quarterback hits in 17 games (13 starts) as a rookie.
Boogie Basham
Career: 36 G
The Giants traded for Basham at the end of training camp last season. The veteran appeared in 13 games and registered 11 total tackles (five solo). Prior to his arrival in East Rutherford, Basham played in 23 games for the Buffalo Bills, where he was a second-round pick (No. 61) in 2021). The 6-foot-3, 274-pound edge defender had 4.5 sacks, 37 tackles (20 solo), five tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, one fumble recovery, two passes defensed and an interception across his two seasons with the Bills.
Benton Whitley
Career: 4G
The Giants originally signed Whitley off the Vikings practice squad in late November. He played in three games and had a fumble recovery along with a pass breakup. Whitley also played 26 snaps on special teams. After going undrafted in 2022, Whitley signed with the Los Angeles Rams but never appeared in a game. He went on to spend time with the Kansas City Chiefs (2022) and Vikings (2022-23) before joining the Giants.
The Giants re-signed Whitley last month.
Tomon Fox
Career: 17 G, 1 GS
Fox joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022. As a rookie, he played in 16 games with one start and finished with a sack, 24 total tackles (15 solo), three tackles for loss and a quarterback hit. Fox played in just one game last season and picked up a solo tackle.
Fox was signed to a reserve/future contract after the conclusion of the season.
Jeremiah Martin
Career: 0 G
After originally being signed to the practice squad towards the end of last season, Martin signed a reserve/future contract once the 2023 campaign was complete. After going undrafted in 2023, he spent time with the Cleveland Browns before being waived in late August. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.
Martin was named first-team All-Pac-12 in 2022 after picking up 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss for the Washington Huskies.
THE DEPARTURES
Jihad Ward
Career: 102 G, 35 GS
Ward signed with the Minnesota Vikings after spending the last two seasons with the Giants. In 17 games (nine starts) last season, Ward registered a career-high five sacks to go with 24 tackles (16 solo) and nine quarterback hits. He recorded three sacks and a career-best two forced fumbles and four passes defensed the prior season. The veteran edge defender spent time with five teams from 2016-2021 prior to joining the Giants. Ward was originally a second-round pick (No. 44 overall) by the Oakland Raiders in 2016.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his updated ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
No. 50 Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
No. 49 Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
No. 48 Maason Smith, DT, LSU
No. 47 Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
No. 46 Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan
No. 45 Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
No. 44 Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
No. 43 Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
No. 42 Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
No. 41 Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State
No. 40 Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
No. 39 Darius Robinson, Edge, Missouri
No. 38 Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
No. 37 Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
No. 36 Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
No. 35 Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
No. 34 Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
No. 33 Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
No. 32 Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
No. 31 Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
No. 30 Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
No. 29 Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
No. 28 Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
No. 27 Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
No. 26 Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
No. 25 Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
No. 24 Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
No. 23 Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
No. 22 Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
No. 21 Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
No. 20 J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
No. 19 Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
No. 18 JC Latham, OT, Alabama
No. 17 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
No. 16 Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
No. 15 Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
No. 14 Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
No. 13 Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
No. 12 Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
No. 11 Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
No. 10 Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
No. 9 Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
No. 8 Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
No. 7 Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
No. 6 Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
No. 5 Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
No. 4 Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
No. 3 Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
No. 2 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
No. 1 Caleb Williams, QB, USC
THE PROSPECTS
The top five edge defenders in the 2024 draft class, according to NFL.com's Bucky Brooks are:
- Dallas Turner, Alabama
- Laiatu Latu, UCLA
- Jared Verse, Florida State
- Chop Robinson, Penn State
- Bralen Trice, Washington
Keep an eye on: Chris Braswell, Alabama
Brooks: "With pass rushers coveted at a premium, the 2024 class should produce a handful of first-round picks with Pro Bowl potential. Turner possesses the first-step quickness, burst and overall athleticism to wreak havoc off the edges as a disruptive force. The Alabama star is a natural pass rusher with the instincts, awareness and hand-to-hand skills to utilize multiple maneuvers to get to the quarterback. Latu is the high-energy pass rusher that every defensive coordinator wants in the "DPR" (designated pass rusher) role. He explodes off the ball with cat-like quickness, but he also displays the strength, power and technique to win with force or finesse. Verse is an explosive, heavy-handed edge defender with a motor that doesn't quit. The Florida State standout excels at turning the corner, utilizing a dazzling array of power and finesse maneuvers to get to the quarterback. Robinson is an athletic freak with the first-step quickness and bend-and-burst skills to create chaos as a sack artist at the next level. His production at Penn State (9.5 sacks over the past two seasons) didn't match his physical tools, but the upside makes him an intriguing option as an early-round selection. Trice is a blue-collar worker on the edges with a rock-solid game built on hustle and technique."
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks revealed his final position rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft.
EDGE DEFENDERS
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
2. Dallas Turner, Alabama
3. Jared Verse, Florida State
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State
5. Bralen Trice, Washington
Keep an eye on: Chris Braswell, Alabama
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Byron Murphy II, Texas
2. Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
3. Kris Jenkins, Michigan
4. Darius Robinson, Missouri
5. Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Keep an eye on: Leonard Taylor III, Miami
LINEBACKERS
1. Payton Wilson, N.C. State
2. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
3. Junior Colson, Michigan
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
5. Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Keep an eye on: Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
CORNERBACKS
1. Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
2. Terrion Arnold, Alabama
3. Nate Wiggins, Clemson
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
5. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Keep an eye on: Renardo Green, Florida State
NICKELBACKS
1. Cooper DeJean, Iowa
2. Mike Sainristil, Michigan
3. Max Melton, Rutgers
4. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
5. Daequan Hardy, Penn State
Keep an eye on: Jarrian Jones, Florida State
SAFETIES
1. Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
2. Javon Bullard, Georgia
3. Calen Bullock, USC
4. Kamren Kinchens, Miami
5. Tykee Smith, Georgia
Keep an eye on: Cole Bishop, Utah
QUARTERBACKS
1. Caleb Williams, USC
2. Jayden Daniels, LSU
3. Drake Maye, North Carolina
4. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
5. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Bo Nix, Oregon
RUNNING BACKS
1. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
2. Trey Benson, Florida State
3. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
4. Blake Corum, Michigan
5. Will Shipley, Clemson
Keep an eye on: Bucky Irving, Oregon
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
2. Rome Odunze, Washington
3. Malik Nabers, LSU
4. Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
5. Keon Coleman, Florida State
Keep an eye on: Troy Franklin, Oregon
SLOT RECEIVERS
1. Ladd McConkey, Georgia
2. Ricky Pearsall, Florida
3. Roman Wilson, Michigan
4. Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
5. Malik Washington, Virginia
Keep an eye on: Jacob Cowing, Arizona
TIGHT ENDS
1. Brock Bowers, Georgia
2. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
3. Cade Stover, Ohio State
4. Theo Johnson, Penn State
5. AJ Barner, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Joe Alt, Notre Dame
2. Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
3. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
4. JC Latham, Alabama
5. Amarius Mims, Georgia
Keep an eye on: Troy Fautanu, Washington
INTERIOR BLOCKERS
1. Graham Barton, Duke
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
3. Christian Haynes, Connecticut
4. Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
5. Zak Zinter, Michigan
Keep an eye on: Javion Cohen, Miami
