The New York Giants needed to overhaul their linebacker corps this offseason, and they did exactly that. After a 2025 season defined by an abysmal run defense, the Giants’ linebacker room looks completely different heading into 2026.

With Tremaine Edmunds arriving in free agency and first-round pick Arvell Reese bringing elite physical tools, New York has addressed one of its most glaring weaknesses from a year ago. Now it’s time to break it down. 

Tremaine Edmunds brings a veteran floor

Edmunds could end up being one of the more underrated free agent signings across the entire NFL. He has the production, the consistency, and the career success to fill a key role with this team. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler who hasn’t had a season with fewer than 100 tackles, and despite playing eight years in the league, he’s only 28 years old. 

Edmunds doesn’t need to become a Pro Bowler with the Giants. They just need a veteran middle linebacker who can bring everything together and provide a higher floor against the run. His size and athleticism should be a leading factor in the run defense improving from where it was a year ago. The Giants are going to need their linebackers to lead the way, especially considering they got rid of Dexter Lawrence.

Arvell Reese is the Giants’ tipping point

Reese is the player who will take this defense over the top. Even though he isn’t widely recognized as the top early projection to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, he will be a legitimate candidate for the award. If Carson Schwesinger won it last year for the Cleveland Browns as an inside linebacker, Reese has the production profile as a blitzer, an off-ball run defender, and potentially a turnover creator to earn that same recognition.

The other factor working in his favor is his supporting cast. Typically, defensive rookies who win awards play on units with elite talent around them. Having Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Edmunds next to him is only going to elevate his game. It will put a bigger spotlight on him when he succeeds.

As everyone has discussed, Reese has rare physical tools. He is a freakish athlete who runs in the 4.4s at 6-foot-4, with a long frame that makes him impactful in pass coverage and explosive as a blitzer against interior offensive linemen. We could see defensive coordinator Denard Wilson create unique stunts in which Reese comes off the edge while Burns or Carter attack inside. The schematic possibilities are endless.

Rounding out the depth chart

Beyond the two starters, McFadden’s return gives the Giants a perfect backup with the ability to be a productive special teamer. Darius Muasau fills a similar role as a proven specialist. The sleeper of the group is BYU linebacker Jack Kelly, a Day 3 pick who won’t get much discussion but fits exactly what New York needs.

He’s big, wide, hits hard, and takes up space. He’s not a crazy athlete and won’t be a starter, but that physical mentality works on special teams and provides reliable depth.

Zaire Barnes and Cam Jones likely don’t end up making the roster, leaving the Giants with five linebackers.

Hopefully, this rebuilt group can deliver what last year’s unit could not. The talent is there, the scheme fits, and the pieces around them should maximize everything this linebacker corps brings to the table.