The New York Giants must prioritize strengthening their run defense in 2025, with linebacker Bobby Okereke playing a central role in that effort. The team’s defensive shortcomings were evident last season, especially in tackling efficiency, an area where Okereke, as well as fellow linebacker Micah McFadden, struggled significantly.
Okereke, a veteran and key defensive figure, was among the leaders in missed tackles on last year’s Giants roster, alongside McFadden. His performance is critical because he is expected to be a leader and example on defense, setting the tone in the back seven.
Despite his potential and experience, Okereke’s inconsistent play has hampered the defense’s ability to limit opponents’ rushing success. The Giants’ run defense often displays a binary nature—either stopping runs decisively or allowing explosive plays, highlighting a boom-or-bust pattern that must be addressed.
Consistent Issues in Stopping the Run Have Cost the Giants
Throughout last season, the Giants’ run defense showed a stark contrast in effectiveness. They excelled in shutting down a significant number of carries at or behind the line of scrimmage but also allowed far too many long runs. According to statistics shared by Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic,
“the Giants finished fourth in the NFL in the percentage of opponents’ runs that went for zero or negative yards (22.5 percent), [but] they also allowed the second-most runs (19) that went for 20-plus yards.”
This vulnerability was notably exploited by Saquon Barkley, the Giants’ former Pro Bowl running back who joined the Eagles in free agency. Barkley took full advantage of opportunities against his former team, rushing for over 2,000 yards in the season, including multiple breakaway runs facilitated by missed tackles and insufficient block shedding.
One example saw Okereke being absorbed by a blocking back on a critical run while McFadden struggled against a powerful offensive lineman, Landon Dickerson. In the Giants’ 3-4 defensive scheme, inside linebackers like Okereke and McFadden must defeat blocks quickly to prevent running backs from reaching the second level, but their failure to do so on numerous occasions allowed Barkley clean paths to the safety.
Carroll’s analysis highlights the root of the Giants’ problems:
“the Giants were one of six teams to surrender more than 1,000 yards after missed tackles last season,”
according to Next Gen Stats. Addressing these tackling deficiencies is vital to reducing the yardage opponents gain after breaking through the line.
Okereke’s Role as a Leader and Playmaker Is Crucial for Defensive Revival
To reverse these defensive trends, the Giants need Bobby Okereke to elevate his game, particularly by improving his tackling technique and engaging more physically against blockers. Okereke’s health will also be a factor, as he missed three games last season due to a back injury. Staying healthy and in sync with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s system will be essential to his success and the team’s defensive turnaround.
Okereke has demonstrated he can be effective when committing physically, exemplified in a play against the Washington Commanders where he successfully defeated a pulling blocker and tackled running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. This ability to win individual battles at the line of scrimmage must become a more consistent characteristic of his play.
One of the Giants’ ongoing challenges is their lack of linebacker size and bulk. While Okereke is a solid 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, McFadden is lighter at 232 pounds, and neither are considered large enough to reliably push off blockers in tight spaces. The Giants’ defensive line also lacks a consistent run-stopper aside from All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II. Though they added Roy Robertson-Harris in free agency and drafted Darius Alexander, both players are seen more as pass-rushers than stout run defenders, limiting the front’s ability to relieve pressure on the linebackers.
Ultimately, Okereke’s success hinges on combining physicality with improved technique, as well as leveraging leadership skills to rally and coordinate the defense against the ground attack. Without these improvements, the Giants may continue to struggle against running backs who exploit missed tackles and poor block shedding.
Future Prospects and the Path Ahead for the Giants’ Run Defense
Improving the Giants’ run defense will require a focused effort on minimizing missed tackles and defeating blocks quickly, which starts with players like Bobby Okereke leading by example. His ability to embrace a more physical style of play and maintain health will be key components as the team aims to prevent big plays on the ground.
The Giants face the ongoing challenge of balancing speed and size at linebacker, and while new additions help boost pass rush capabilities, run-stopping may remain a weak link unless players improve their core skills.
In the competitive NFC East, where powerful running backs and aggressive offenses are common, the Giants’ capacity to tighten their run defense will directly affect their overall success in 2025 and beyond. Okereke’s development and leadership could be the catalyst to transforming a vulnerable defense into a more reliable unit, capable of closing down running lanes and limiting long gains.