New York Giants must address this glaring need before training camp

New York Giants must address this glaring need before training camp

The New York Giants are transforming this offseason. They have a new coaching staff, headed by John Harbaugh, and a lot of new faces. They have a new overarching philosophy and much work ahead to put it into motion.

One thing that has remained virtually untouched is the defensive front, which underperformed greatly in 2025 and was a main culprit in the team's many late collapses in games.

With the 2026 NFL draft just two weeks away and free agency winding down, the Giants have done nothing to improve their defensive line. In fact, things are worse than before now that Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is holding out and demanding a trade.

Dallas Cowboys (home, away)

Washington Commanders (home, away)

Philadelphia Eagles (home, away)

Arizona Cardinals (home)

Cleveland Browns (home)

Jacksonville Jaguars (home)

New Orleans Saints (home)

San Francisco 49ers (home)

Tennessee Titans (home)

Detroit Lions (road)

Indianapolis Colts (road)

Houston Texans (road)

Seattle Seahawks (road)

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Dallas Cowboys (home, away)

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New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: Best photos from Week 18

Dallas Cowboys (home, away)

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

Washington Commanders (home, away)

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

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New York Giants' 2026 opponents

Los Angeles Rams (road)

Even with Lawrence, who was nagged by a chronic elbow injury last season, the line needs major augmentation. They were awful against the run (31st) last year, and the new regime is aware and has vowed to fix it. But so far, nothing much has happened.

In fact, this past week, things got thinner as they lost two of their top producers in Rakeem Nunez-Roches and D.J. Davidson in free agency.

The folks at Sharp Football Analysis have identified the line as the Giants' most glaring need this offseason.

Lawrence recorded a career low 7.7% pressure rate and just 0.5 sacks while ranking 64th among qualified defensive linemen in run stuff rate.

New York will need him to make more plays behind the line of scrimmage in both the pass and run game in 2026.

The organization could help Lawrence by getting some more talent around him.

Roy Robertson-Harris is back, but he would be better suited as a depth piece.

The only free agent addition so far is Sam Roberts, who has played 266 career defensive snaps since entering the league in 2022.

The Giants could also hope for more from 2025 third-round pick Darius Alexander, but he struggled to force his way onto the field as a rookie.

Alexander did log 3.5 sacks on somewhat limited opportunities, but his 6.3% pressure rate suggests that sack total was inflated.

The Giants' depth chart behind Lawrence, Roberson-Harris, and Alexander is thin. They have the overachieving Elijah Chatman returning and two free agent pickups -- veteran Sam Roberts and Marlon Tuipulotu, a former sixth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles who most recently served as a backup in Kansas City.

The Giants are not likely to address the defensive line with the fifth overall selection in this draft. They could with their second pick, though, No. 37 overall. If they pass there, they'll have to hope to find help on Day 3 of the draft, where they have five selections.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants must address this glaring need before training camp