Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux need more help
Entering the 2024 season, no New York Giants’ edge player had recorded more than 45 pressures in a season since Markus Golden earned 64 in 2019. The Giants’ ability to generate pressure depended on interior rushers like Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. Kayvon Thibodeaux was drafted fifth overall to be a dominant edge defender for the Giants; he recorded 45 pressures in his rookie season and hasn’t reached that mark again, although he did earn double-digit sacks in 2023 with a 26.7% sack-to-pressure ratio. Still, the edge room was not solidified after the 2023 season, so GM Joe Schoen took a swing at an opportunity.
2024 in review
The roster
Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Tomon Fox, Boogie Basham, Patrick Johnson, Benton Whitley
Schoen and the New York Giants swung for the fences to kick off their 2024 off-season. New York acquired Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers for a second-round pick (39th), a 2025 fifth-round pick, and the swapping of 2024 fifth-round picks that favored Carolina. The Giants subsequently signed the 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler to a massive five-year, $141 million contract with $87.5 million in guaranteed money.
‘Hard Knocks’ showed jubilance from the Giants’ staff on the acquisition. Burns played 865 snaps, battling various injuries in a lost season while consistently hustling and setting an example. He finished with 61 pressures, 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for a loss, 71 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and eight passes defended. He’s one of the few bright spots on the team, especially on a defense that struggled mightily this season.
Burns and Thibodeaux helped the Giants to lead the league in sacks up until Week 9. New York finished the season tied for eighth in the NFL with 45 sacks. The Giants haven’t had more than 45 sacks in a season since 2014.
Thibodeaux didn’t take the jump in play many hoped to see, but he wasn’t a liability, either. Thibodeaux missed Weeks 6-12 with a wrist injury that landed him on IR. He ended the season with 38 pressures and 5.5 sacks; he had 10 pressures in his final two games against the Colts and the Eagles. He also missed eight tackles — a 27.6% missed tackle rate.
Azeez Ojulari flashed throughout the year but ended his season injured again. Ojulari ruptured a ligament in his toe in Week 12 against the Buccaneers; he’s an impending free agent who should entice good football teams who need pass rushers. He finished the season with six sacks and 22 pressures. His inability to consistently play run defense has hurt his upside; he missed 31% of his tackles in 2024.
The trio of Burns, Thibodeaux, and Ojulari — with Dexter Lawrence on the interior — is nothing to scoff at, but their position group lacked proven depth. Boogie Basham was released, sent down to the practice squad, and had to finish the season earning snaps. He played 86 total snaps with four pressures on the season.
Tomon Fox adds more than Basham and earned a sack with just three pressures in 207 total defensive snaps. Patrick Johnson played 47 snaps and earned one pressure on the season. Benton Whitley was plucked off the Giants’ practice squad in December by the Arizona Cardinals after playing two snaps on defense.
Burns gutted it out all season, and the depth pieces rotated around Thibodeaux and Ojulari’s injuries. Thibodeaux returned to the lineup and played exceptionally well in the season’s final two games. However, more is still expected from the former Oregon Duck, who will enter his fourth NFL season in 2025.
2025 outlook
The Giants have a few free agents at their edge position: Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson, and Tomon Fox. The potential loss of Ojulari will undoubtedly affect the depth of the room. Logical arguments are formulated by some Giants fans about Ojulari’s superior pass-rushing prowess when juxtaposed with Thibodeaux; those arguments are difficult to refute. However, the best ability is availability, and Ojulari hasn’t played more than 450 snaps since his rookie season.
Thibodeaux did suffer a wrist injury this season, but he played more than 800 snaps in his previous two seasons. Seeing Thibodeaux take the next step in his development in 2025 would be excellent. The 24-year-old doesn’t have a consistent way of winning against above-average talent. He’s not a bad player by any means, but one who leaves Giants’ fans wanting more.
I continue to look forward to Burns on the opposite side. If the Giants offense can get functional and competent, Burns, Thibodeaux, and Lawrence should find ways to harass opposing quarterbacks. Still, the Giants have to find another edge defender to keep Burns and Thibodeaux fresh now that Ojulari may be out the door.
New York should explore the draft to find a young explosive player to earn snaps opposite Burns and Thibodeaux. The Giants may add a veteran free agent or two to the room for depth or special teams ability, but an actual difference maker early in the draft must be explored.
New York may be unable to select Penn State’s Abdul Carter with the third pick in the draft, but edge remains one of the many needs on this roster despite Schoen trading for Burns and selecting Thibodeaux as a top-five pick. It may not be the number one need, but quality assets must round out that position group.