The New York Giants’ outside linebackers were better in 2024 than they were in 2023, but somehow it felt like there was more the unit didn’t quite have delivered for some reason.
First, the good news. According to NFL Pro, the starting duo of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns had some tea once Thibodeau returned in Week 12 following his IR sting following a broken wrist.
Thibodeaux generated 20 pressures on 158 passes (12.7%), and Burns generated 21 pressures on 142 passes (14.8%), making him one of four groups of teammates who recorded at least 20 pressures each during this period and the only duo of its type. who each forced a turnaround on their pressures.
Together, they have recorded 41 of the Giants’ 79 pressures (51.9%) since Week 12, the second-highest team share among all duos, behind Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker (52.3 %).
Burns and Thibodeaux also finished in the top 20 in ESPN’s pass win rate, with Burns fourth (23%) and Thibodeaux 16th (17%).
Okay, so what was the bad news? Although they led the defense in quarterback pressure rate (15.2% for Burns and 12.6% for Thibodeaux), their respective sack rates were 2.0% and 1.7%. , respectively, which placed them at the bottom of the team.
Granted, sacks aren’t the ultimate stat by which defensive coordinators measure the success of a pass rush, but that’s the goal ultimately, right?
The addition of Brian Burns gave the Giants much-needed energy and production. However, Burns, while ready to play with very painful lower body injuries that no one would have blamed him for taking time off for, needs a lot more support from his partner on the other hand. side.
The Giants could also add another passer via the draft or free agency, especially since they are likely to move on from pending UFA Azeez Ojulari.
Acquired via trade from Carolina and then signed to a big contract extension, Burns lived up to the big contract with his playmaking ability, speed, toughness and leadership.
He battled injuries but never stopped trying despite the season ending in mid-October, suiting up and starting all 17 games. He finished with a career-high in tackles (71), although his 8.5 sacks were a bit low.
He constantly shined on the field and finished strong. He threw his body around like a leader is supposed to and never let up a pileup or hit despite not being particularly physical.
He was also positive in pass coverage. We’d like to see Burns develop a more complete pass-rush arsenal. He relies solely on his speed and throws a snap to attack the pocket.
He doesn’t have the frame to be a power runner; it is more of a penetrator. So it’s no surprise that he had 17 tackles for a loss.
Burns will be 27 next season and is still in his prime. For at least a season, it has been one of the few positive gestures made by this current group of decision-makers. Hopefully they can find more players like him.
Thibodeaux has not established himself as an impact player three years into his career. Thibodeaux was the fifth overall pick in 2022. He spent part of his 2024 season recovering from a wrist injury that caused him to miss five games, outside of which he was a pass rusher and run defender. ordinary.
Thibodeaux too often settled for a reactionary style of play when an attacking mentality was required. Although he showed glimpses of power and aggression late in the year, his total of 5.5 sacks this season were primarily accumulated against weak opponents.
As has always been the case in its history, it has rarely managed to do anything against good competition. He needs to start moving his body and inject some blue-collar intensity into his game.
Thibodeaux is still a young player (24 years old), so it’s time to find the next level.
For nearly half a season, Ojulari was poised to make money in his contract year. Seeing an increase in his completions when Kayvn Thibodeaux went on IR midyear with a broken wrist, Ojulari compiled five of his six sacks in three weeks in October.
Alas, as has always been the case for this player, the wheels came off again. Ojulari returned to invisible mode, looking less impactful than ever in his four years as a Giant.
In Week 12, the injury bug caught him again, as he tore a ligament in his toe requiring surgery.
Interestingly, there have been reports that other teams are interested in trading for Ojulari, with the “best” offering a fifth-round pick.
General manager Joe Schoen reportedly wants at least a fourth-round pick. So rather than take what he could get in terms of project capital that could have been used immediately, Schoen kept his hand. He now risks losing Ojulari to another team with no guarantee he’ll get a pick in return.
Ojuari is young and talented, but he can’t stay healthy. Having fallen to third on the depth chart behind Thibodeau and Burns, we don’t see the Giants spending big money on this one-time second-round pick who was supposed to be half of the regular pass-catching tandem that offered so much upside. hope after a rookie season of 17 games and 8 sacks.
Claimed off waivers from the Eagles in mid-September, Johnson was a supposed special teams ace who never played on specials during his 12-game tenure with the Giants. A knee injury sent Johnson to injured reserve in mid-December.
His best plays as a Giant came as a rotational outside linebacker rushing the passer, where he showed good body lean and feel for attacking the offensive tackle’s outside shoulder.
Johnson finished with four tackles. The 27-year-old is a pending free agent and his return to the Giants is in question.
Although Fox did not make the team out of training camp, he was quickly signed to the practice squad and spent most of his 2024 season on rotation.
Fox suited up for 11 games and played his rotation role as a heavy, physical outside linebacker to the letter. Fox is like a block-absorbing nose tackle; he holds his advantage while relying on heavy hands and a powerful lower body to survive.
He finished with 14 tackles and 1.0 sacks and seemed destined for a career on one-year contracts, due to his lack of athleticism and foot speed. The Giants know him and will likely invite him back to their 2025 training camp.
Waived at the deadline, Basham spent time on the Giants’ 2024 practice squad and was activated four times.
His best stretch was the final three games of the season, where he compiled eight total tackles as a struggling outside linebacker, which is good production.
Basham is a taller outside linebacker with a physical style that lacks leaping. He’s only 27 years old and a former second-rounder who continues to search for a role on this Giants team, which is now elusive under two different defensive coordinators.
