ScoutIndex

NYG NYG

Zaire Barnes

LB

Drafted 184th overall in the 6th round of the 2023 draft, Zaire Barnes arrived from Western Michigan. Now with NYG, he's in his 4th NFL season. Last season's 46.1 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 46th percentile among DEFs, below average for the position.

Size

6'1", 232#

College

Western Michigan

Draft

Rd 6, 184th overall (2023)

Seasons

2023–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
44.7

45th percentile among DEFs

6 games

Splash plays×0.15+0.93
Pass rush×0.3-0.59
Ball skills×0.25-0.61
Run defense×0.2-0.74
Availability×0.1+1.07

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026NYG44.76
2025NYG46.18

Career profile

Across 2 NFL seasons on file, Zaire Barnes has played in 14 regular-season games, all with NYG.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 46.1, in the 46th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1DAL—41.2
Week 2LAR—40.6
Week 3TEN—56.7
Week 4ARI—40.4
Week 5WAS—41.1
Week 6NO—39.6

Zaire Barnes — common questions

What position does Zaire Barnes play?
Zaire Barnes is listed as an LB.
Which teams has Zaire Barnes played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Zaire Barnes has played for NYG (2025–2026).
Where did Zaire Barnes go to college?
Zaire Barnes played college football at Western Michigan.
When was Zaire Barnes drafted?
Zaire Barnes was selected in round 6, 184th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Zaire Barnes scored?
Zaire Barnes has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Zaire Barnes's ScoutIndex Rating?
Zaire Barnes rated 44.7 for 2026, the 45th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 6, 2023

Also from Western Michigan