If the New York Giants needed another excuse to pass on a quarterback at No. 3 overall, Dexter Lawrence just handed them one on a silver platter.
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks released his list of the top 10 defensive players in the league to build around—and Big Dex came in at No. 9. He joined the likes of MicahParsons, Myles Garrett, Patrick Surtain II, and Roquan Smith. And Brooks didn’t sugarcoat his reasoning.
“Dexter Lawrence has evolved from a run-stopping specialist to a pass-rushing phenom over the past three seasons. The 6-4, 340-pounder has totaled 21 sacks since 2022, exhibiting heavy hands and nimble feet as a destructive force at the point of attack. The three-time Pro Bowler’s dominance in the middle forces opponents to overhaul their game plans to reroute the ball on the ground or through the air. As more teams focus on building elite defenses from the inside out, Lawrence’s value as a disruptive defender at the line of scrimmage continues to skyrocket.”
That kind of recognition matters, especially when you’ve already built a strong nucleus around it. Between Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux (at least for now), the Giants’ defensive front is teetering on “special.” And with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen heading into year two, it’s not hard to imagine New York leaning even further into its identity on defense.
The Giants can stack the defense without touching a QB at No. 3
New York should be in a “draft the best player available” approach. Especially if one of Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter are still on the board. And if they want to double down on defense, there are actually more pieces to work with than you might think.
Mason Graham (Michigan) is a potential top-five pick with the kind of 3-tech explosion Bowen covets in his defensive scheme. Edge rushers Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) and JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State) have the length, power, and projectable traits to be molded into quarterback monsters. If Thibodeaux’s future isn’t guaranteed beyond this year, that insurance becomes extra valuable.
And it’s not just the front seven. Corners Jahdae Barron (Texas) and Darien Porter (Iowa State) were zone-coverage machines in 2024—a perfect fit for Bowen’s high-zone, low-blitz approach. Safeties Andrew Mukuba (Texas) and R.J. Mickens (Clemson) both ranked top-three in Cover 3 and Cover 4 grades last season. These are ready-made chess pieces.
This is where Lawrence’s presence pays off. You don’t need to force a quarterback when you’ve got a franchise disruptor already commanding double teams. Build from the inside out. Let Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston hold it down for a year. Add a developmental QB like Jalen Milroe or Tyler Shough on Day 2 if you must.
But if Carter or Hunter is staring you in the face at No. 3? You don’t blink. You lean into who you are. And right now, the Giants are a defense-first team built around the most dominant nose tackle in football. Maybe it’s time the draft plan reflects that.