Outside of the analytics community, there is a collective sense that the New York Giants made the right move getting rid of Dexter Lawrence when they did.
Although Lawrence still graded incredibly well with Pro Football Focus, he looked unmotivated and a step slower last year.
After years as a consensus top-5 defensive tackle, Lawrence’s reputation is taking a hit, too. In a recent ESPN article, NFL coaches, front-office members, and scouts ranked the league’s top 10 defensive tackles. Lawrence placed No. 7, falling from his spot atop the list a season ago.
Interestingly, Jeremy Fowler noted that an unnamed NFC scout said Lawrence will be “rejuvenated” on the Bengals.
All signs point to the Dexter Lawrence trade being a win for the Giants
In fairness, viewing April’s trade as swapping Lawrence for Francis Mauigoa isn’t entirely incorrect.
However, the greater point is that the Giants rid themselves of an expensive player who didn’t want to be there anymore. Lawrence publicly demanded a trade, and new contracts only mend the fence so much.
But more importantly, the thought of a player being “rejuvenated” upon a trade tells the Giants all they need to know. Granted, that takeaway only came from an unnamed NFC scout, but would anyone be surprised if that’s the sentiment leaguewide?
Even with Lawrence gone, the Giants are built to at least make things interesting in the NFC East.
Would Lawrence have given them a better chance at returning to the postseason? That depends on your optimism. Perhaps Lawrence would’ve put the negative feelings to rest, or the awkwardness might have lingered despite his extension.
Lawrence’s defenders still have plenty of ammunition that they can use against the Giants.
No one is arguing that, at least on paper, Lawrence is a superior option to D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris. Let’s also not forget that the Giants lost Roy Robertson-Harris to a likely season-ending Achilles injury.
But if last year’s struggles are the beginning of Lawrence’s decline, the Giants absolutely made the right move.
Mauigoa all but earned the starting right guard job upon being drafted, also skews the trade in the Giants’ favor, at least for now.
Lawrence will need to wait before getting his first revenge game against the Giants. The Bengals and Giants won’t face off unless they meet in the Super Bowl.
Add us as a preferred source on Google