Overview
- ESPN published its preseason positional rankings Wednesday and placed New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns at No. 9 based on more than 70 ballots from executives, coaches, scouts and additional film and research.
- Burns posted a career-best 16.5 sacks in 2025 with 31 quarterback hits, 22 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and seven passes defensed, earning second-team All-Pro honors for that season.
- Commentators and Giants-focused outlets criticized the No. 9 slot as too low, arguing Burns’ 2025 production should have carried more weight and that some players ranked higher benefited from reputation or small 2025 sample sizes.
- Burns was acquired in a March 2024 trade and signed a five-year, $141 million extension before the 2024 season, which frames questions about how he fits with the Giants’ recent high draft investment in edge players and the team’s losing record.
- The ranking is likely to sharpen expectations for Burns in training camp and the regular season and to renew scrutiny of New York’s roster construction and how the team will deploy multiple high-investment edge talents.