Brian Burns Climbs to No. 14 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2026

In the 2025 campaign, Burns recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks, the second-most in the league and the fourth-highest single-season total in New York Giants history. He also logged 31 quarterback hits—the most by any Giant since the statistic began in 2006—22 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, seven passes defended, and 67 total tackles while starting all 17 games. His performance earned second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press and a third Pro Bowl selection, his first as a Giant after being traded from Carolina in 2024.

Newsweek

The NFL Top 100, voted on by active players, placed Burns at No. 14 for the 2026 list, marking a sharp rise from his absence on the previous year’s ranking. Teammate Kayvon Thibodeaux praised Burns’ film study and ability to anticipate quarterback tendencies, while other league players highlighted his speed, athleticism, and “slippery” pass-rushing moves. Despite the Giants’ 4-13 record, Burns’ individual recognition underscores his role as a defensive cornerstone on a rebuilding roster.

Newsweek

Giants officials used the ranking to emphasize Burns’ impact on the defense, noting that his consistency and work ethic set a standard for the team’s younger players. Thibodeaux’s comments, delivered in a team interview, stressed that Burns’ preparation translates into “next-level eliteness.” Multiple peers—including Maxx Crosby, Kyle Van Noy, and Tyler Shough—offered brief remarks lauding Burns’ toughness and technique, reinforcing the league-wide respect he has earned.

USA Today

• “He’s just a freak athlete and a crazy rusher. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. In terms of tools in the toolbox, (he has) as much as any guy in the league.” — Alex Highsmith

USA Today

These elements collectively illustrate how Brian Burns’ 2025 breakout season translated into peer-voted recognition, positioning him among the NFL’s elite despite his team’s overall struggles.

Newsweek