Big Blue View
The New York Giants are gearing up for training camp in July. Each team in the NFC East has restructured its roster in hopes of success in the upcoming 2026 season. This is the fourth post in our position-by-position look at the NFC East; we have reviewed the cornerbacks, safeties, linebackers, EDGE rushers so far.
The team with the best positional group is assigned four points, and the “worst” receives one point. It is a complex formula, up there with E=MC², but we’ll attempt to deliver the information in a palatable manner, and I’m sure it will be well received by all fan bases, of course. With that, let’s talk about the defensive line position!
D.J. Reader, Shelby Harris, Darius Alexander, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Josh Tupou, Leki Fotu, Zacch Pickens, Sam Roberts, Anquin Barnes Jr., Ben Barten
Dexter Lawrence was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the tenth overall pick in the draft, which turned into Francis Mauigoa, but left a massive hole in a position at which the Giants were already thin. To Joe Schoen’s credit, he did a solid enough job in replenishing the position with competent veterans. New York added D.J. Reader, Leki Fotu and Shelby Harris after the draft, but unfortunately lost Roy Robertson-Harris to injury. They also claimed Zacch Pickens off waivers and signed Josh Tupou.
I’m sure defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and defensive line coach Dennis Johnson believed they would have Lawrence when they accepted their jobs, but a lot can change in a short amount of time.
Darius Alexander did show signs of progression down the stretch of his rookie season, although it was mostly as a pass rusher. Sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis is one of my sleepers heading into the 2026 season. Overall, the unit lacks star power but has two new quality veteran options in Reader and Harris, with other rotational veteran options and some young players who could take the next step.
Still, the Giants only receive one point.
Points: 1
Daron Payne, Johnny Newton, Charles Omenihu, Javon Kinlaw, Tim Settle, Shy Tuttle, Deatrich Wise Jr., Ricky Barber, D.J. Davison, Jeffrey M’ba
Daron Payne is coming off a down season for him, but the 29 year old is one of the more effective two-way defensive lineman in the National Football League. Johnny Newton had two adequate seasons – the first he was recovering from a pre-draft injury and he recorded 27 pressures and six sacks in his second season, but he must be better against the run. Washington signed Tim Settle from Houston; he had an average season, relative to his career last season, but did record 43 pressures in 2024.
Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Charles Omenihu are all big bodied 4/5-techinques with length, with Kinlaw bringing experience playing inside techniques as well. The depth and experience of Washington’s group gives Dan Quinn’s unit the edge over New York.
D.J. Davidson also joined the Commanders this off-season, for what it’s worth.
**Points:...
