NY Giants have had several defensive players emerge as some of the best at their position in the NFL through the first seven weeks
The NY Giants are 1-6 following Thursday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but in no way are out of the NFC East race with a rematch against the Eagles looming in three weeks and a chance to sweep the season series with the Washington Football Game two weeks from Sunday.
While the NY Giants’ offense has sputtered, currently averaging just 276.7 yards and 17.4 points per game, the defense has quietly climbed the rankings.
Through seven games, the Giants’ defense ranks 17th in the NFL, while holding opponents to 356.3 yards and are 14th in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 24.9 points per game.
Friday’s trade that sent outside linebacker Markus Golden to the Arizona Cardinals, in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick, puts some pressure on Oshane Ximines to step up, it could be a struggle to generate pressure on the quarterback.
So, who are the Giants’ five best defenders?
Scroll through for a breakdown of the Giants’ five highest-graded defenders from Pro Football Focus, and a status report on each through seven weeks.
1) CB James Bradberry
80.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade
James Bradberry seems to bolster his case as the most impactful addition general manager Dave Gettleman has made over the course of his three offseasons at the helm of the Giants, every single week.
Bradberry, who ranks 9th out of 113 cornerbacks in the NFL, according to PFF, is tied for third in the NFL with three interceptions, has broken up a league-high 11 passes and made 20 solo tackles so far this season.
It’s easy to see how Bradberry garnered an 80.3 overall garde, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 62.7 passer rating when targeting him and receivers are averaging just 10.7 yards per reception against him.
The Giants’ secondary likely needs to add at least two or three new pieces this offseason, but Bradberry is certainly a foundational building block.
2) DL Dalvin Tomlinson
79.8 overall Pro Football Focus grade
Tomlinson has been the Giants’ most disruptive defensive lineman for at least the past two seasons, and might be one of the most underrated players at his position across the NFL.
PFF lists Tomlinson as the 14th out of 112 defensive lineman, and whether it’s creating pressure on the quarterback, batting down passes or as a run stopper (where he has a 74 grade), it’s easy to see why.
Tomlinson currently has 30 total tackles, one sack, and has generated 11 quarterback pressures.
In the final year of his contract, Tomlinson might be the top candidate to sign a long-term extension with the Giants by season’s end. If the Giants somehow allow Tomlinson to hit free agency, some team is going to pay a premium, and deservedly so.
3) ILB Blake Martinez
78.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade
The Giants hoped Martinez would be a modest upgrade over Alec Ogletree, when they signed the former Green Bay Packers captain on the first day of free agency back in March. Martinez has been that, and then some.
Martinez is listed as the eighth-ranked linebacker in the NFL by PFF, and has been a tackle machine. Through the first seven weeks, Martinez has produced 45 solo tackles, second-most in the NFL, one sack, and one fumble recovery.
In addition to being the Giants’ third-highest graded defender, he has the highest run-stopping grade on the team at 86.1.
The Giants’ front seven is one of the strengths of the roster, and Martinez’ consistently strong play is a big reason why.
4) DL Leonard Williams
76.3 Pro Football Focus overall grade
Unequivocally, it remains a reckless use of draft capital for the Giants to have traded a third-round and conditional fifth-round pick to the Jets, when they were 2-6 at the time, in exchange for Leonard Williams last season.
However, while playing on the franchise tag and collecting $16.25 million for this season, Williams has been the Giants’ most consistently dominant defensive lineman.
Williams leads the Giants with three sacks, has 25 total tackles, has generated 21 total pressures and 14 hurries. The 16th ranked defensive lineman in the league, according to PFF, Williams has a run-stopping grade of 75.4 and a pass-rushing grade of 68.7.
The Giants’ plan all along was to use the franchise tag on Williams if he performed at a high level last season, but as Williams continues to improve each week throughout this season, it might be prudent to try to sign him to a long-term contract before free agency begins and the market perhaps drives up his price.
5) DL Dexter Lawrence
75.8 Pro Football Focus overall grade
Chosen No. 17 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Dexter Lawrence might be the best overall pick of the Gettleman era.
Lawrence, 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds, is freakishly athletic for a player his size.
The Giants chose Lawrence in hopes he would anchor the defensive line as its top run-stuffer, and he’s been as advertised with a 66.5 run-stopping grade and 14 stops in 150 run-defense snaps. However, Lawrence has exceeded expectations as a pass-rusher, producing 4.5 career sacks, including two this season, 13 pressures, and nine hurries.
Defensive line might be the most talented position group on the Giants’ roster, and Lawrence is a significant reason why.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.