The Giants will have multiple players with double-digit sacks for the first time since Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora in 2010.
John Schmeelk: Fact – It's going to happen this year. The Giants have four players with the ability to break through to double-digit sacks: Dexter Lawrence (9 last year in only 12 games), Brian Burns (12.5 sacks in 2022, 5 straight years with 8+), Kayvon Thibodeaux (11.5 in 2023), and rookie Abdul Carter (12 sacks at Penn State in 2024). Could the sacks get spread out to the point where no one tops 10, but all have more than 8? Sure, but I find it unlikely. If the offense can hold up their end of things and get some early leads, or at the very least keep games closes, more than one of those rushers should finish with 10+ sacks.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – It has happened seven times in franchise history since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
1985: Leonard Marshall (15.5), Lawrence Taylor (13), George Martin (10)
1986: Lawrence Taylor (20.5), Leonard Marshall (12)
1997: Michael Strahan (14), Robert Harris (10)
1998: Michael Strahan (15), Chad Bratzke (11)
2005: Osi Umenyiora (14.5), Michael Strahan (11.5)
2007: Osi Umenyiora (13), Justin Tuck (10)
2010: Justin Tuck (11.5), Osi Umenyiora (11.5)
We were barreling toward another year for the history books with Dexter Lawrence (9.0), Brian Burns (6.0) and Azeez Ojulari (6.0) each on pace through 10 games. But then injuries happened. I'm only going "fiction" here just out of respect for the double-digit sack mark, which is not as easy as people assume. But I will probably be wrong. There are just too many candidates on this roster in addition to an improved secondary, which will help the pass rush.
Matt Citak: Fact – The Giants were not far off from achieving this last season, as Dexter Lawrence recorded nine sacks in 12 games and Brian Burns finished right behind him with 8.5. Considering the Giants were playing from behind most weeks, which led to the defense facing the third-fewest pass attempts in the league, this was an impressive performance from the two pass rushers. Between Lawrence and Burns, along with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, I'm not sure exactly which players will reach double-digit sacks. However, I am confident that at least two from that group will hit 10+ sacks, which should lead to the Giants having one of the top pass rushes in the league.
The Giants' defense will notch at least 12 interceptions, which was the league average in 2024.
John Schmeelk: Fact – The Giants had 12 interceptions in 2023 and 13 in 2024. With the additions of veteran ballhawk cornerback Paulson Adebo and smart, rangy safety Jevon Holland, I don't see why they wouldn't top that number in 2025. The additional pass rush should force quarterbacks to unload the ball quickly, which will give the defensive backs a chance to anticipate and jump some routes. I also expect Shane Bowen to disguise more in the defensive backfield to try to confuse quarterbacks. If opponents also feel pressure to score more points due to an improved Giants offense, they may be more apt to put the ball into harm's way.
Dan Salomone: Fact – The tale of the turnover chest is just beginning. In all seriousness, Shane Bowen said you get what you emphasize, and the Giants are putting a premium on taking the ball away. The havoc up front and the additions in the back should lead to an uptick in this department.
Matt Citak: Fact – The Giants registered just 15 total turnovers last season, with 10 coming on fumble recoveries. The defense's five interceptions were among the fewest in the NFL, but as I mentioned in my first answer, the unit faced far more rush attempts than pass attempts due to playing from behind most weeks. I expect to see improvements on both sides of the football this season, which should keep the Giants close in more games than last year. Additionally, the Giants went out and signed a known ballhawk during free agency in Paulson Adebo. Not only that, but Tyler Nubin, who had 13 interceptions in college, did not have a single pick last year. That will change this year, and with Adebo and Nubin both getting into the INT action, 12 across the entire defense seems like a reasonable number.