Giants' Front Seven Just Became a Quarterback's Worst Fear
Giants' Front Seven Just Became a Quarterback's Worst Fear originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The New York Giants are looking to bounce back from a historically disappointing 2024 season, and while much attention has focused on drafting quarterback Jaxson Dart, their defense might be the real story heading into 2025. With the addition of third overall pick Abdul Carter alongside established star Brian Burns, the Giants may have assembled one of the most dangerous pass-rushing tandems in the entire league.
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Even before adding Carter, the Giants' defensive front was already considered among the NFL's most talented units with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence. Now, with Carter joining this group, the Giants' pass rush could reach elite levels. What was once a defensive weakness has evolved into potentially the team's greatest strength.
Brian Burns proved in his first season with the Giants that the investment was well worth it. He recorded 8.5 sacks, 42 tackles and two forced fumbles while posting a career-high 79.2 Pro Football Focus grade. His 82.9 pass-rush grade and 61 total pressures both represented the second-highest marks of his career. At 27 years old, Burns is entering his prime with the perfect supporting cast around him.
Abdul Carter enters the NFL with a college resume that suggests immediate impact potential. The former Penn State star dominated college football in his final season, accumulating 68 total tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games. He led the FBS with a 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade and 66 total pressures while ranking in the top five nationally with a 22.6 percent pass-rush win rate.
The comparisons to Micah Parsons aren't made lightly—both players share similar physical attributes and the rare ability to impact games from multiple positions. Pro Football Focus has already ranked Carter as the 20th-best pass rusher heading into the 2025 season before he's even taken an NFL snap.
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What makes the Burns-Carter pairing so potentially devastating is how their skill sets complement each other. Burns brings veteran savvy and proven NFL production, while Carter offers explosive athleticism and raw talent. Together with Thibodeaux and Lawrence, the Giants suddenly have four legitimate threats that offensive coordinators must account for on every snap. This depth provides defensive coordinator Shane Bowen with incredible flexibility in game planning and keeps opposing offenses guessing about where pressure will come from.
While expectations for the Giants' overall season remain tempered following their 3-14 finish, the emergence of this defensive front could change the trajectory of individual games and potentially the season. In a division featuring high-powered offenses and experienced quarterbacks, having a pass rush capable of consistently disrupting timing could be the difference between respectability and continued struggles. For Giants fans still reeling from last season's disappointment, the potential of watching Burns and Carter terrorize opposing quarterbacks provides genuine reason for optimism as the 2025 season approaches.
Related: Edge Rusher Rankings Set High Bar for Giants
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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