The New York Giants made the masterful decision to sign inside linebacker Bobby Okereke last offseason and that paid immediate dividends. Not only was Okereke one of the best in football, he didn’t miss a single snap in 2023 — a testament to his toughness.
Okereke returns as the main man in 2024 and little has changed around him. The only notable additions to the unit are sixth-round rookie Darius Muasau, who is likely to see more time on special teams than on defense, and veteran Matthew Adams.
The Giants will also return Micah McFadden, who had a breakout season in 2024, Darrian Beavers, Carter Coughlin, and the versatile Isaiah Simmons.
ESPN’s Mike Clay recently ranked all 32 NFL teams by their inside linebackers and the Giants fared somewhat well considering their lack of big names outside of Okereke (for edge rusher rankings, click here).
Scroll through to find out where Clay ultimately ranked the Giants:
Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, Garret Wallow
Denzel Perryman, Nick Niemann, Daiyan Henley, Junior Colson, Troy Dye
Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Eric Wilson
Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson, Owen Pappoe, Markus Bailey
Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies
Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, Justin Strnad, Durell Nchami
Eric Kendricks, Damone Clark, Markquese Bell, DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau
Ivan Pace Jr., Blake Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Brian Asamoah, Abraham Beauplan
Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis, J.J. Russell, Vi Jones
Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Jake Hummel, Olakunle Fatukasi
Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Neville Hewitt
Robert Spillane, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Amari Burney, Tommy Eichenberg
Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, JD Bertrand, Milo Eifler
Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Isaiah Simmons, Matthew Adams, Darius Muasau
Jordyn Brooks, David Long Jr., Duke Riley, Anthony Walker, Channing Tindall
Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Roquan Smith, Malik Harrison, Trenton Simpson, Chris Board, Josh Ross
Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson, Tyrice Knight, Jon Rhattigan, Drake Thomas
Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson
Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Sione Takitaki, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones
Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Devin Harper
Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis
Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Nicholas Morrow, Deion Jones, Dorian Williams
Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Devin Bush, Tony Fields II, Nathaniel Watson
Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Willie Gay Jr., Khaleke Hudson, Jaylan Ford
T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Micah Baskerville
C.J. Mosley, Quincy Williams, Jamien Sherwood, Chazz Surratt, Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, Ventrell Miller, Caleb Johnson
Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Dee Winters
Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jamin Davis, Mykal Walker, Jordan Magee