Tyler Nubin is framed as the Giants’ future catalyst by Brandon Brown, who calls him an alpha of alphas though he isn’t a captain yet. Dexter Lawrence remains the defense’s heartbeat, with Okereke as a captain and Nubin identified to grow into leadership. Nubin vows to stay true to himself while pursuing more turnovers in 2025, aided by Jevon Holland’s praise.

His rookie year yielded zero interceptions after Minnesota clips of 13 picks and 11 PDs; he’s focused on the learning curve, working to position himself for more takeaways as the unit stabilizes around him.

McFadden’s 107 tackles in 14 games last season cemented him as the Giants’ steady run-stopper and a quietly influential defender. In 2025, he’s chasing a starter’s role and a contract extension, insisting that open eyes come from consistent, high-standard play rather than external praise.

The Giants’ defense surrounds him with Dexter Lawrence II, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Bobby Okereke, Paulson Adebo, and Abdul Carter, forming a more formidable front and back end as they claw back toward respectability. McFadden’s leadership and continued productivity sit at the center of a squad hoping to bolster the run defense and elevate the entire unit.

The New York Giants' linebackers are positioned in the middle of the NFL rankings, specifically at 19th, according to Pro Football Focus. While their outside linebackers are recognized as a strong unit, the interior remains a point of concern. The team’s defense is anchored by a potentially elite defensive line, which should provide ample opportunities for the linebackers to make plays.

Bobby Okereke, the standout linebacker, has logged an impressive overall grade of 81.3 over the past two seasons, contributing significantly to the defense. The effectiveness of the linebackers will largely depend on how well they can adapt and leverage the strength of the defensive front.