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Giants Midseason Defensive Awards: Abdul Carter, Arvell Reese Lead the Way
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- Giants Midseason Defensive Awards: Abdul Carter, Arvell Reese Lead the Way
The New York Giants defense has vastly improved in John Harbaugh's first season as head coach.
So even though only one Giants defender (more on him below) is in the mix for an individual award, we are going to give out some defensive awards to Giants players as the team hits the midseason mark.
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Giants Defensive MVP: Abdul Carter, edge rusher
Although his sack total is still lagging, Carter has stepped up his game to a new level this season. The second-year edge rusher is tormenting opposing offensive linemen, which has been essential due to Brian Burns' torn ACL.
Carter is tied for first with Chop Robinson of the Dolphins among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate (35%) according to ESPN, and he has the third-best grade from Pro Football Focus (90.3) through seven games. He has held his own as an edge-setter in the run game, which has also enabled him to play 388 of the Giants' 441 defensive snaps this season.
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Giants Defensive Rookie of the Year: Arvell Reese, linebacker
Reese has a case for defensive MVP, since the No. 5 overall pick has been both a steady inside linebacker and game-wrecking pass rusher for the Giants defense.
Reese is among the betting favorites for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and for good reason since through seven games he ranks second in the league in solo tackles (39). He has added four passes defended, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception.
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Giants Defensive Comeback Player of the Year: Deonte Banks, cornerback
Jevon Holland has a case too, especially after being named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September. But Banks has gone from after thought to lockdown cornerback in a span of one season, and his progression is arguably the Giants coaching staff's most important win this year.
Banks is second in the NFL in passes defended (10), doubling his total from last year already in 11 fewer games. He has the 29th-best PFF grade (66.4) among 101 qualifying cornerbacks, a year after finishing 111th out of 113 (42.4).
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He also had the feel-good moment of the year by intercepting Jacoby Brissett and taking it 98 yards for a game-sealing pick-6 in the Giants' 36-24 win against the Cardinals.
Giants Defensive Newcomer of the Year: D.J. Reader, defensive lineman
The Giants' trade of Dexter Lawrence II for the No. 10 overall pick was a smart business decision that many thought would adversely affect their run defense in 2026.
But Reader, who signed shortly after the draft, has made them better, jumping to 25th from 31st last year. Reader has the best PFF grade (90.4) among 126 qualifying defensive linemen in 251 snaps.
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The Giants may need to upgrade at defensive line at the trade deadline, but that's mainly due to season-ending injuries to Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris, as well as Darius Alexander's struggles. Reader has been excellent.
Giants Defensive Coach of the Year: Dennard Wilson, defensive coordinator
It was fair to wonder how Wilson would do after he was not retained by the Tennessee Titans. But just like his former boss Brian Callahan, who has found a second life as a Giants assistant after being let go by the Titans, Wilson has been everything a Giants fan could hope for.
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Wilson has simplified things for his players, letting a talented Giants defense play fast and without thinking. But he's also been willing to adjust to injuries or game situations, like when he dialed up pressure after pressure to flummox Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the fourth quarter and overtime in their tie with Washington.
He's rejuvenated the cornerback room and somehow found a way to keep Micah McFadden engaged, even while Reese and Tremaine Edmunds were playing 100% of the snaps at inside linebacker. As a result, McFadden was ready to contribute after Edmunds was lost for the season to an injury in Week 6.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
