The Giants’ Linebacker Drought: A Possible Turnaround?

The Giants made a significant decision decades ago and have since refrained from repeating it for over 40 years.

In 1984, they chose linebacker Carl Banks as the third overall pick in the draft. He went on to secure two Super Bowl wins, earned a spot on the league’s All-Decade team during the 1980s, and was inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor. Definitely a solid choice, right?

But since that pick? Nothing. Zero. Year after year, the Giants have not selected a linebacker in the first round.

This seems to be a point of pride for Banks.

“That’s not quite accurate,” Banks remarked. He pointed out that it just wasn’t a focal point for the Giants’ defense. The absence of such picks is indeed notable. “I was the last, but, well, they just hadn’t excelled in that position for a long time,” he added, pausing for emphasis.

“You can’t overlook Abdul Carter, even if he’s classified differently. To me, he’s the first true linebacker since my time,” Banks continued.

Now hold on a second. While Carter is described as a defensive end by the Giants, he actually plays an outside linebacker role. Being the No. 3 overall pick in 2025, he’s bound to be compared to Banks. But really, they’re different players, fulfilling different roles.

“I understand your perspective,” Banks said. “There’s a linebacker in this draft who is meant for every down. He’s adaptable and can handle the responsibilities.”

This draft introduces Sonny Styles, who might just be the first real linebacker drafted in the first round by the Giants since Banks.

“I fully support them choosing someone like him,” Banks remarked.

Yet, there are various “position value” arguments against selecting an off-ball linebacker early. In essence, they’re perceived to be on the field less frequently than other positions, making it risky to spend valuable draft picks on them. Teams often opt for edge rushers and cornerbacks instead of inside linebackers.

In the case of the Giants, this conversation extends even further. They let go of Bobby Okereke and brought in Tremaine Edmunds with a hefty three-year, $36 million contract. Edmunds, an eight-year veteran, stands tall at 6-foot-4, weighs 251 pounds, and has racked up 900 career tackles. He’s set to be a starter, but why does the linebacker position seem so crucial for the Giants right now?

“That’s the dilemma,” Banks explained, a seasoned Giants radio analyst who speaks candidly. “In my view, free agency focuses on the immediate; the draft is about future potential.”

“That’s the nature of football. Players age, and while Edmunds is still effective, how long will that last? Drafting Styles could be a long-term solution.”

Moreover, Styles and Edmunds could complement each other on the field. New defensive coordinator Denard Wilson is likely to utilize both in an effective manner.

When asked directly about Styles, Wilson replied, “When it comes to the draft, I just want good players. I’m open to whoever can contribute.”

The essential question remains: Is Styles truly worthy of the No. 5 pick?

“I’m confident that regardless of the pick or role, I can make an impact,” Styles asserted during a compelling session at the Scouting Combine. “Understanding your role and excelling within it is paramount.”

During his four years at Ohio State, Styles participated in 53 games and recorded merely three missed tackles. Yes, three. He was a cornerstone of a formidable Buckeyes defense and showcased impressive physical abilities at the combine. He was the first athlete since 2003 to run a sub-4.5 in the 40-yard dash, jump over 40 inches vertically, and cover more than 11 feet in the broad jump—all while weighing over 230 pounds.

Styles is more than an impressive athlete; he’s also a playmaker on the field and a grounded, mature leader off it.

“I want to convey that I understand what it takes to improve,” he expressed about his conversations with NFL teams. “I aim to prove that I’m not just an athlete, but an intelligent football player.”

Will Styles be the first draft pick for the Giants under John Harbaugh? Harbaugh has emphasized the necessity for the 2026 defense to tighten up against runs, especially since the Giants ranked poorly in that aspect last year. In his lengthy career with the Ravens, he has relied on standout inside linebackers like Ray Lewis, CJ Mosley, and Roquan Smith.

“Inside linebacker may not always be considered a valuable position, but if an inside linebacker can’t make a tackle, he can’t prevent a run,” Harbaugh pointed out. “So, it holds significant importance.”

Banks sees another advantage in evaluating Styles. His 2025 defensive coordinator was Matt Patricia, part of the Bill Belichick coaching lineage that originally thrived with linebackers like Banks, Lawrence Taylor, and Harry Carson in pivotal roles.

“I admire how Matt Patricia coaches,” Banks noted. “It’s about being a complete linebacker. That’s why, in my opinion, he’s a top player in his position—perhaps even a top-five player due to his skills.”

So, over four decades later, is it possible that Sonny Styles represents the kind of player the Giants haven’t had since Carl Banks?