New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns has earned recognition as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers heading into the 2026 season.
In a recent ESPN ranking of the league’s top 10 edge defenders by executives, coaches and scouts, Burns landed at No. 9 after delivering a breakout campaign in his seventh NFL year.
Burns’ talent was obvious when he entered the league in 2019. But production has been spotty throughout his career, and some evaluators wanted to see him routinely play with more power.
Burns’ talent was obvious when he entered the league in 2019. But production has been spotty throughout his career, and some evaluators wanted to see him routinely play with more power.
Burns’ 31 quarterback hits in 2025 ranked fourth among all defensive players. He was the NFL’s lone player with five multiple-sack games last season. Burns was a top-10 selection in past years before falling to honorable mention in 2025.
Burns recorded 16.5 sacks, second in the NFL, and earned second-team All-Pro honors. His sack total marked the highest by a Giants player since Jason Pierre-Paul in 2011. He also posted 31 quarterback hits, ranking fourth league-wide among defensive players, and became the only defender with five multiple-sack games last season.
Evaluators noted Burns’ evolution on the field. Talent had long been evident since he entered the league in 2019 as a top-10 pick, yet consistent production had sometimes eluded him. That changed in 2025.
“He was different than in years past,” said an NFL coordinator. “He was more of a force consistently, more of a pain in the (expletive) to play against.”
With improved power and relentless pressure, Burns has solidified his status as a cornerstone for the Giants’ defense.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL coordinator on New York Giants’ Brian Burns: ‘Pain’ to play against
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Benton, Giants Wire | USA TODAY Network
