Giants Must Strengthen Defensive Line in the 2025 NFL Draft
The New York Giants made some key upgrades in free agency, particularly in the secondary and at quarterback, but there’s still one glaring weakness that needs to be addressed: the interior defensive line.
While the team added veterans Jeremiah Ledbetter and Roy Robertson-Harris for depth, they still lack a true difference-maker to pair with Dexter Lawrence. If they want to solidify their defensive front, the 2025 NFL Draft is the perfect opportunity to do so.
A Deep Draft Class for Defensive Tackles
The good news for the Giants is that this year’s draft class is stacked with interior defensive line talent. According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, this class is twice as deep as last year’s when it comes to potential starting-caliber defensive tackles:
“Last year at this time, I had potential starter grades on 12 DTs. This year I have 24 of them. Ridiculous amount of depth at the position in this draft class.”
With three top-100 picks (No. 34, No. 65, and No. 99), the Giants have plenty of opportunities to land an impact player on Day 2. Some potential targets include:
Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
Darius Alexander (Toledo)
T.J. Sanders (South Carolina)
Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
Each of these prospects has the potential to be a Day 1 starter, giving the Giants a much-needed boost in the trenches.
A Must-Fix Weakness
New York’s defensive front underperformed last season, often struggling against the run and failing to generate consistent interior pressure. With Dexter Lawrence shouldering too much of the load, adding another dominant presence inside would make life easier for both Lawrence and edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
With so much defensive line talent available, the Giants would be wise to prioritize this position in the draft. If they do, their defense could take a major step forward in 2025.
