Pro Football Focus thinks highly of Giants' linebacker unit

Throughout their century-long history, the New York Giants have sported some of the most legendary linebacker units in the NFL. Their eight championship teams had many a Hall of Famer and Ring of Honoree among the linebacker ranks leading the way.

Players such as Sam Huff, Lawrence Taylor, Brad Van Pelt, and Harry Carson became legends chasing quarterbacks and hammering ball carriers over the years.

After a few years of searching for the right mix, Big Blue’s linebacker group is back among the league’s best, says Pro Football Focus, who ranked them fifth overall.

The Giants are solid at their starting linebacker spots. Bobby Okereke’s 78.9 PFF grade ranked 13th at the position in 2023, and Micah McFadden came in at No. 46 in his second season in the league. They also have Isaiah Simmons, who hasn’t lived up to his billing as a top-10 draft pick but was a useful depth player for the team last year, earning an 82.7 PFF coverage grade on 203 snaps.

PFF does not include outside linebackers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari in this piece but both do line up at the linebacker position in the team’s base alignment.

Recently acquired Brian Burns is being listed as a defensive end, but he will fill the role of edge rusher in the 3-4-4 base.