Why Dexter Lawrence is an overlooked star for the NY Giants
By David Solow
Dexter Lawrence is 6’4″ and 342 pounds. No one was surprised when the goliath from Clemson put up 36 reps at the 2019 combine. The former five-star recruit is someone that disengages from man-to-man blocks whenever he wants.
For the NY Giants in 2019, the defensive tackle recorded a 76.3 run defense grade and consistently ate up double teams to let the linebackers roam free. Blocking Lawrence with one blocker simply wasn’t an option for teams. When teams tried cut-blocking at his legs, he had enough agility to quickly recover and get past his blocker.
Dexter Lawrence should not be viewed as the typical run-stuffing defensive tackle. His size, strength, quickness, and nose for the football allow him to blow up plays in the backfield in ways that are uncanny. He can also use his tremendously long arms to keep blockers off of him, quickly diagnose plays, and explode into the backfield.
His 84-inch wingspan measures in the 97th percentile for a defensive lineman. This makes his 36 bench press reps even more impressive. Shorter arms can make it easier to bench press, and Lawrence has anything but.
His rare combination of size, strength, agility, and length will come in handy for the NY Giants early on in the season. The first five opponents that Lawrence will face in 2020 are the Steelers, Bears, 49ers, Rams, and Cowboys. The run defense will be tested early and much of the burden will be placed on the player with the widest shoulders.
At one point late in the season, Lawrence was ranked fourth against the run among all NFL defensive tackles. The key to stopping excellent running teams like the Steelers, 49ers, and Cowboys will be winning the battle up front. When teams are forced to double team Lawrence, it will open things up for Blake Martinez to make plays in the middle of the defense.
Even though Dexter Lawrence is tremendous against the run, it is not the main reason he was picked by Dave Gettleman in the middle of the first round. There are many defensive tackles throughout the league that are excellent run-stuffers.
Dexter’s ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks is what makes him truly valuable.