Chauncey Goltson
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An "overlooked" New York Giants defensive lineman is key to a "nightmare" front.
They are awash with star pass-rushers, but an overlooked member of the New York Giants’ defensive line actually holds the key to a “nightmare” scheme.
It’s ultra-versatile Chauncey Golston, who is somebody singled out by John Schmeelk of Giants.com as a potential X factor. Schmeelk focuses on Golston because the former Dallas Cowboys D-lineman isn’t likely to start, but can still impact games in a major way.
This is something Schmeelk envisions because “Golston has length, power and athleticism to be difficult for guards to block when he lines up inside as a pass rusher. The Giants will try to figure out very creative ways to get him on the field in different spots depending on the down and distance.”
The search to get Golston involved means “we could see a lot of five-man pass rush situations with Brian Burns, Golston, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux lining up with their hands in the dirt and Abdul Carter standing up in different spots as a fifth pass rusher on second and third and long. It would be a nightmare alignment for opposing offensive lines to have to block.”
This is a lot of involvement in important situations for a veteran already facing a potential position change. Golston “is being overlooked,” according to Schmeelk’s colleague Matt Citak, who identified another forgotten veteran capable of making a bigger impact than expected along a star-studded front.
Chauncey Golston Key to What Giants Are Building
He may look like the odd man out in a crowded pass-rush room, but Golston is actually a good representation for what the Giants are building defensively. His arrival in 2025 NFL free agency added to a position group already strong thanks to Burns and Thibodeaux.
Putting Golston into the mix gave the Giants a viable trio of roving quarterback hunters, but the rotation became downright scary once Big Blue used the third-overall pick to draft Carter.
The latter’s arrival reduced expectations for Golston on the surface, but he still fits this new style of defense. It’s a style based around moving parts up front, where multi-faceted disruptors can create havoc from multiple spots.
Golston was doing that for the Cowboys, something the Giants learned the hard way in Week 1 of the 2023 season. When Golston twice got to Daniel Jones, once from the interior and once off the edge, with both takedowns highlighted by Giants Nation Show host Bobby Skinner.
Being able to move around and still wreck the pass-pocket like this will keep the player who logged a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2024 valuable to the Giants. Golston is ideal for a sub-package role in both run and pass situations.
It’s a potential use case he has in common with another under-the-radar newcomer along the Giants’ defensive line.
Giants Have Other ‘X Factor’ Up Front
Golston won’t be forgotten, “but the non-starter that will make the biggest impact on the unit is Roy Robertson-Harris,” according to Citak. He pointed out that while 32-year-old Robertson-Harris is entering his ninth season in the pros, “he’s never had the opportunity to play with as much talent as the Giants currently have on the defensive front.”
Citak also thinks the presence of noted defensive line guru Andre Patterson will unlock Robertson-Harris’ best football. Ultimately, Citak believes, “Robertson-Harris eventually earns the starting spot next to Dexter Lawrence.”
Whether he becomes a starter or remains a rotational player, Robertson-Harris is like Golston. He fits the more versatile template the Giants want in the defensive half of the trenches.
Robertson can play end and defensive tackle, with his movement across nickel fronts particularly useful. He’ll be a good example to 2025 NFL draft third-round pick Darius Alexander.
The latter is yet another amoeba-type for a new-look D-line group able to seamlessly change personnel and switch positions, but still apply a ton of pressure.