Ranking the Giants’ positions: OLB unit leads way, but defense still has major holes
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Outside linebackers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux bring star power to the Giants' defense. Chris Pedota / Imagn Images
By Charlotte CarrollJune 25, 2026 UpdatedGiven the New York Giants won’t reconvene as a team until late July when the team reports to training camp, we have a few football-less weeks to fill. Hopefully, you can spend at least a couple of those outside under the summer sun, together with family and friends as you count down the days until the John Harbaugh era really kicks off.
But if you’re looking to spark a conversation around the fire pit or grill, may we suggest ranking the Giants’ position groups? My beat partner, Dan Duggan, put together an updated depth chart out of the spring, so why not debate the strongest — and weakest — areas of the roster as another way to look forward to training camp.
Here’s my own ranking of the groups, from strongest to weakest. Have fun in the comments. I’ll be at the beach:
1. Outside linebackers
This was a no-brainer. The OLB unit is far and away the strongest position group on the Giants roster, in large part due to major investment over the last few seasons. Toward the end of last season, Abdul Carter started to show more consistently why he was the No. 3 pick, as he finished the year with 66 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, the 12th-most in the league. Meanwhile, Brian Burns led the NFC in sacks with 16.5. The two were starters throughout the spring, with 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux rounding out the top trio.
2. Quarterbacks
Quarterback at No. 2? I know, I’m somewhat surprised myself, given the question marks around this position only last offseason. But this is an acknowledgement that the position, at least for this season, is in solid shape with Jaxson Dart looking primed to progress in his second year. And behind Dart is veteran Jameis Winston, who is always capable of giving his offense a spark. That gives the Giants two starting-caliber quarterbacks, along with Brandon Allen.
3. Offensive line
Another ranking that would be hard to believe just a few short years ago, but the offensive line is decidedly on solid footing. They have an All-Pro caliber left tackle in Andrew Thomas, a first-round right guard in Francis Mauigoa, a three-year starting center in John Michael Schmitz Jr. and some solid veterans in left guard Jon Runyan Jr. and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. Beyond what should be an above-average starting group, there’s also some good depth, including veteran guard Daniel Faalele, center Lucas Patrick, guard Aaron Stinnie and swing tackle Marcus Mbow.
4. Tight ends
The Giants’ biggest free agency investment came at this position with the signing of Isaiah Likely (three years, $40 million). Pairing Likely with Theo Johnson will result in the Giants deploying plenty of 12 personnel packages. New York also has longtime veteran Chris Manhertz, who will play a role in the running game. Finally, there’s fullback Patrick Ricard, who has been spending time in the tight end meeting room, so we’ll count him as depth here. This looks like one of the most well-rounded groups on the roster this year.
5. Inside linebackers
This position room has been completely reconfigured since last year. The highlight of the overhaul, of course, was the addition of first-round pick Arvell Reese. But the Giants also signed free agent Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million deal. Those two will push Micah McFadden, who’s been a reliable starter, to a backup role. Anytime you add a first-rounder to a room, the status goes up, and Reese’s versatility should add intrigue to the defense as a whole.
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6. Running backs
The Giants brought back the same top three running backs as last year: Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary, so there’s not a ton of change beyond Ricard’s role on the offense. The good news for Giants fans is Skattebo participated in the team’s final two minicamp practices, meaning he should be good to go for training camp.
7. Wide receivers
Let’s assume Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton are healthy, though we know that’s a big if on Nabers. But a healthy Nabers boosts this group tremendously, giving the team a legitimate No. 1 target. The real question is how this group looks beyond Nabers. Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III and third-round rookie Malachi Fields were the spring starters with Nabers and Slayton out. The Giants also signed a trio of veterans, including a Giants great of yesteryear, Odell Beckham Jr, but there are legitimate questions about how much he has left in the tank at 33 years old. Suffice it to say, the depth behind Nabers is questionable at best.
Why was now the time for an OBJ reunion?Charlotte Carroll8. Safeties
Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin are the starters, making this an easy exercise with no change. Ar’Darius Washington and Jason Pinnock provide depth to the room, though Washington could potentially challenge for a starter role. It’s a solid group that could be ranked a few spots higher next with improved play from its two talented starters.
9. Cornerbacks
The No. 1 corner seems set with Paulson Adebo, but the No. 2 spot is TBD as competition will heat up at camp. There’s depth but no clear starter for now, as Greg Newsome II faced early competition already from a surprise contender: Deonte Banks. The 2023 first-rounder has had an up-and-down career in New York, so he’ll need to find some consistency to secure the job. Another name to watch is second-rounder Colton Hood. He played behind Newsome and Banks this spring, but he’ll have a chance to impress in camp.
10. Defensive line
The defensive line depth was already thin before the Dexter Lawrence trade and Roy Robertson-Harris’ Achilles tear. Now, it’s a remade room featuring DJ Reader, Darius Alexander, Shelby Harris, Leki Fotu, Josh Tupou, Sam Roberts and sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis. Given the injury situations, it’s a room that leaves plenty of questions and much to be seen when the pads come on.
11. Specialists
As another completely altered group, the specialist group has the most uncertainty, largely due to the kicker question. The position has plagued the Giants the past few seasons, and the competition got off to a rough start this spring with the team releasing veteran Jason Sanders and Ben Sauls struggling mightily. On a more promising note, undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada closed out strong, going 13-of-13 on field goals in open practices. Long snapper Ben Mann is another undrafted rookie, so he needs to prove himself. While punter Jordan Stout is an All-Pro, the uncertainty at the other spots made this somewhat an easy choice for the final spot in our rankings.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
