What is Deonte Banks' Giants future after rough 2024? 38 thoughts on 38 defensive players

I shared a thought on every player on the New York Giants offense last week. Now it’s the defense’s turn.

Defensive linemen

• Dexter Lawrence: Lawrence set a career high with nine sacks despite playing just 12 games before dislocating his elbow. However, his pressure numbers actually finished lower than the past two seasons. Lawrence averaged 3.0 pressures per game this season, compared to 4.1 pressures in 2023 and 4.4 in 2022. His pressure rate has declined since defensive lineman Leonard Williams was traded midway through the 2023 season. Lawrence remains the best nose tackle in the NFL despite facing constant double-teams. Finding a complement like Williams will make life easier for Lawrence.

• Rakeem Nunez-Roches: Nunez-Roches was signed to a three-year, $12 million contract during the 2023 offseason to be a run-stuffer in a defensive line rotation. He was overexposed after being elevated to the No. 2 defensive tackle spot next to Lawrence this season. Nunez-Roches is a cap casualty candidate, as the Giants could create $3.6 million in cap savings by cutting the 31-year-old this offseason.

• D.J. Davidson: Davidson was the third defensive lineman in base personnel until he suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the final five games of the season. Davidson tallied two sacks against the Seahawks in Week 5 but otherwise made minimal impact. The 2022 fifth-round pick’s ceiling seems to be a backup nose tackle.

• Jordon Riley: The intrigue about the physically impressive Riley has worn off after a second straight lackluster season. The Giants took a flier on Riley in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, but his lack of production has made it evident why the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder wasn’t viewed as a draftable prospect.

• Elijah Chatman: Chatman made an immediate impression by sprinting downfield to tackle a running back in the preseason. The undrafted rookie opened the season with a role on passing downs but saw his playing time dip when he failed to produce. Chatman reclaimed a bigger role late in the season after Lawrence’s injury and provided some interior pass rush. Chatman’s 6-foot, 278-pound frame figures to limit him to a pass-rush specialist role.

• Elijah Garcia: Garcia, 26, made the most of his opportunity in the final five games after Lawrence and Davidson were sidelined. The three-year veteran, who had been on the practice squad all season, used his size and length to be a force against the run. Garcia’s impressive cameo should open the door for a potential spot in the D-line rotation next season.

• Cory Durden: Durden was another young defensive tackle given an opportunity due to injury late in the season. Signed off the Rams’ practice squad in Week 14, Durden didn’t make a strong impression in four games. He’s under contract for 2025, so he’ll have an opportunity to battle for a roster spot this offseason

• Armon Watts: Injuries completely derailed Watts’ season. The sixth-year veteran got injured during training camp with the Patriots and missed the first six weeks of the season. Watts then signed with the Giants and appeared in four games before landing on IR with a shoulder injury. He returned in Week 17 and promptly suffered a major knee injury.

Outside linebackers

• Brian Burns: Burns came as advertised. He tallied 8.5 sacks in his first season with the Giants, which tied for 22nd in the league, after averaging 9.2 sacks in his five seasons with the Panthers. He racked up 61 pressures, which ranked 19th and was the second-highest total of his career. The advanced metrics reflect better, as Burns ranked fourth in pass rush win rate. Burns is a very good player, which is what the Giants were counting on when they traded two draft picks to acquire him and then handed him a five-year, $141 million contract. But the 26-year-old seems to lack the extra gear possessed by game-wrecking pass rushers.

• Kayvon Thibodeaux: Thibodeaux’s career has been an interesting journey. He registered only four sacks as a rookie, but advanced metrics suggested he was a more disruptive pass rusher than the sack total indicated. He then piled up 11.5 sacks in his second season, but advanced metrics indicated that sack total was inflated. He had 5.5 sacks in 12 games this season, and again advanced metrics (he was 16th in pass rush win rate) were more favorable.

Regardless of the numbers, Thibodeaux hasn’t made the impact that was expected when he was the fifth pick in the 2022 draft. The Giants will need to decide on Thibodeaux’s $16.1 million for 2026 this offseason. That’s a tricky decision, but expect this regime to pick up the option on its first draft pick.

• Azeez Ojulari: The Giants held onto Ojulari at the trade deadline because they didn’t believe the offers were strong enough for the pass-rushing specialist. But even a sixth-round pick would have been better than losing him for nothing in free agency. It’s hard to envision a path back to New York. If Ojulari has a strong market, the Giants will likely get outbid for a player who would play behind Burns and Thibodeaux on the depth chart. If Ojulari has a weak market, it would make more sense for him to sign a prove-it deal with another team that could offer more playing time to boost his value.

• Tomon Fox: The injuries to Thibodeaux and Ojulari opened the door to get Fox back in the mix after he spent the 2023 season on the practice squad. Fox doesn’t bring much as a pass rusher, but he can play the run and contribute on special teams. He figures to be back on the bubble this offseason, trying to carve out a role on the active roster.

• Patrick Johnson: The Giants claimed Johnson off waivers from the Eagles in Week 3, and he immediately became a core special teamer. That was Johnson’s role until Week 15 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Given what they’re paying him, the Giants need more from linebacker Bobby Okereke than what he gave them in 2024. (Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)

Inside linebackers

• Bobby Okereke: Okereke didn’t transition well to new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s scheme. Okereke was more of a playmaker in Wink Martindale’s defense in 2023, recording a career-high 11 tackles for loss. Okereke seemed to be hitting his stride in Bowen’s defense midway through the season before suffering a back injury that sidelined him for the final five games. Okereke has a $14.5 million cap hit in 2025, which is the sixth highest among inside linebackers. The Giants need more from Okereke at that cost.

• Micah McFadden: McFadden has steadily improved and is general manager Joe Schoen’s best value draft pick as a fifth-rounder who has developed into a reliable starter. McFadden is never going to be a star, but good teams need solid starters like him. Schoen should try to get ahead of the curve and extend McFadden this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. McFadden has made only $2.9 million in his first three seasons, so he’d likely be amenable to a team-friendly extension that provides security with guaranteed money.

• Darius Muasau: Muasau played more defensive snaps than expected as a rookie due to Okereke’s injury. The sixth-round pick predictably endured some growing pains, but he showed promise as a run defender. He could become a similar player to McFadden if he continues to develop.

• Dyontae Johnson: Johnson had a long wait to finally get his shot. An undrafted free agent, Johnson spent all of 2023 on the practice squad. Johnson impressed in this season’s preseason opener but suffered an ankle injury that landed him on IR to start the season. Johnson had to bide his time until finally getting activated in Week 17. He played his first defensive snaps in the season finale and flew around the field to record 11 tackles. It will be interesting to see this offseason if the promise Johnson has shown in extremely limited sample sizes can translate into a bigger role.

• Ty Summers: Summers was signed in Week 1 to be a core special teamer, and he filled that role for the first 15 weeks. Injuries provided an opportunity for defensive snaps in the final three games, and the sixth-year veteran played physically against the run. There’s no shortage of players like Summers in the league, but he’d be worth bringing back on a minimum contract.

• Matthew Adams: Adams was signed to be a core special teamer, and the seventh-year veteran capably filled that role. Adams played one defensive snap all season, and that was far more interesting than his 306 special teams snaps. The Giants inserted Adams on a third down against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7 and used him as a blitzer. The design worked to perfection, as Adams had an unblocked path to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. But Adams missed the sack, which led to a Hurts scramble that featured cornerback Deonte Banks’ alarming lack of hustle.

Cornerbacks

• Deonte Banks: Banks’ subpar second season has been explained away by some as being scheme-related. That’s an overly favorable review for the 2023 first-round pick. Yes, Banks was a better fit in Martindale’s press-man scheme. But the shift wasn’t dramatic enough to explain Banks’ poor play. He played man coverage on 39.3% of his snaps as a rookie compared to 32% this season.

The biggest change this season was that Banks was tasked with covering No. 1 wide receivers. Banks has the physical tools to stay with top wideouts, but his lack of ball skills was exposed by offenses’ best weapons. Banks allowed 8.4 yards per target this season compared to 6.3 yards per target as a rookie. Quarterbacks are going to target their No. 1 receivers no matter how tight the coverage, and Banks consistently failed to make plays on the ball to disrupt those passes.

Add in multiple effort lapses, and it was a majorly disappointing season. Banks has the tools to be a solid No. 2 corner, but he doesn’t appear ready for the challenge of being a No. 1.

• Cor’Dale Flott: Flott found a home in his third season at outside corner after shifting between the outside and the slot in his first two seasons. The Giants oddly took Flott off the field for Adoree’ Jackson often on passing downs, so they clearly don’t have complete faith in the 2022 third-round pick. Flott is best suited as a backup corner who can fill in at multiple spots.

• Dru Phillips: Phillips is the most physical cornerback the Giants have had in years. He was like an extra linebacker in the slot as a run defender, recording seven tackles for loss. Phillips didn’t give up many big pass plays aside from a rough outing against the Steelers in Week 8, but he still has room to develop in coverage. The arrow is pointing up for the 2024 third-round pick.

• Adoree’ Jackson: The Giants held off on re-signing Jackson until their cornerback situation became too dire to be ignored as the season approached. Jackson mostly played a role on passing downs until injuries forced him back into full-time duty. Jackson was a suitable stopgap, playing better than his disappointing 2023 season.

• Tre Hawkins III: Hawkins was the forgotten man during his second season, failing to play a defensive snap in 11 of the first 12 games. Injuries forced Hawkins into the lineup against the Saints in Week 14 and he had a career game with an interception and physical play against the run. Hawkins suffered a fractured lumbar spine in that game, however, and missed the rest of the season. The 2023 sixth-round pick will return as cheap depth as the Giants continue to chase the promise he showed during training camp as a rookie.

• Isaiah Simmons: Simmons was left frustrated by his inconsistent role after re-signing on a one-year, $2 million contract. There were some games when Simmons had a similar role to 2023 as a “money ’backer” on passing downs. But there were other games he didn’t play a single defensive snap. Simmons didn’t play well in his role, continuing his career trajectory as a better athlete than a football player. Simmons surely will be seeking a change of scenery in free agency.

• Greg Stroman: Stroman was elevated from the practice squad in Week 8 and played extensively at corner after Banks was benched against the Steelers. Stroman also played corner in weeks 14 and 15 before suffering a shin injury that sidelined him for the final three games. He was among a group of corners added to the mix late in the season due to injuries at the position.

• Art Green: Green spent the first half of the season on the practice squad before getting promoted to the active roster when Nick McCloud was cut in Week 10. Green took McCloud’s spot on special teams and produced some good moments as a gunner in punt coverage.

• Dee Williams: The Giants claimed Williams off waivers from the Seahawks in Week 14. Williams saw action in only one game as a kick returner, recording a 23-yard return against the Ravens in Week 15. Williams is signed through 2026, so he’ll get a shot to compete for a return job this offseason.

• Divaad Wilson: The Giants signed Wilson off the Cardinals’ practice squad in Week 15. He saw special teams action in two games before getting an extended look at cornerback in the season finale. The Giants figure to re-sign the 25-year-old exclusive rights free agent to a minimum contract.

Safeties

• Jason Pinnock: The free agent departure of Xavier McKinney thrust Pinnock into the No. 1 safety role. That was asking too much, as he doesn’t make plays in coverage and struggles with angles in run support. The athletic Pinnock continued to be a weapon as a blitzer, recording a career-high three sacks in limited pass-rushing opportunities. Pinnock is ideally suited to be a third safety and special teamer. The Giants should be looking to upgrade over the free agent this offseason.

• Tyler Nubin: Nubin played almost every snap before an ankle injury ended his season in Week 14. The second-round pick racked up 98 tackles, displaying impressive physicality near the line of scrimmage. But Nubin’s angles in the secondary were shaky at times. A ball hawk in college with 13 career interceptions, Nubin had only one pass breakup as a rookie. Overall, Nubin produced a promising rookie season, but the Giants will need him to make a leap in Year 2.

• Dane Belton: Belton’s role varied week to week for most of the season. He was the third safety used in sub packages in some games, while he barely played on defense in other games. Belton got to start the final four games of the season after Nubin’s injury. The 2022 fourth-round pick has limitations, but he continues to show an uncanny nose for the ball. Belton had an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in limited action. He has five interceptions in three seasons despite being a part-time player.

• Anthony Johnson: The Giants claimed Johnson off waivers from the Packers after cut day. He was a healthy scratch for much of the season before playing some special teams snaps late in the year. Johnson is signed through 2026, but his lack of development despite a thin safety room this season doesn’t suggest much of a future in New York.

• Raheem Layne: Layne tore his ACL midway through the 2023 season while with the Chargers. That injury sidelined him until he signed with the Giants during training camp. He spent the season on the practice squad before getting signed to the active roster in Week 16. He then tore his meniscus and missed the rest of the season.

Specialists

• K Graham Gano: Gano missed significant time due to injury for the second consecutive season, as a hamstring injury sidelined him for seven games. Gano made 9 of 11 field goals, including both attempts from 50-plus yards, but the Giants shied away from long kicks they would have attempted in the past. Cutting the 37-year-old for $3.2 million in cap savings has to be a serious consideration this offseason.

• K Greg Joseph: Joseph had a ride on the kicker carousel this season, spending time with the Giants, Jets and Commanders. He went 13-for-16 on field goals during Gano’s absence before suffering an oblique injury that ended his time with the Giants.

• P Jamie Gillan: Gillan arrived in New York three years ago mostly known for his leg strength. The “Scottish Hammer” has developed more touch as his career has progressed, as he had the fourth-lowest touchback percentage and the eighth-highest percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line this season. Re-signing the 27-year-old to a modest contract would make sense.

• LS Casey Kreiter: The 34-year-old Kreiter remains ultra-reliable. Bringing him back on a sixth one-year contract should be a no-brainer.

(Photo of Deonte Banks: Alika Jenner / Getty Images)