Zaire

Barnes

Barnes appeared in 11 games for the Giants in 2025, one of which was a start. He appeared in only four games during his rookie season with the Jets before missing the entirety of 2024 with injury. He returns to the Giants on another prove-it deal almost assuredly buried on the depth chart.

Barnes ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at his Pro Day per Dane Brugler’s The Beast, and was a two-year starter at Western Michigan after a torn ACL wiped out his 2020 season. He had 161 tackles in his final two seasons, adding 11.5 tackles for loss. He had nine passes defensed in the 2023 season alone. He’ll be a developmental linebacker and play special teams for the Jets in his first season.