5 bold predictions for the NY Giants defense in 2023
By Zak Musso
3. Leonard Williams has a 10+ sack season
The Giants gave Sexy Dexy a monstrous four-year, $90 million contract extension in early May. He is the face of the Giants defense. However, he may not be the most important player on the Giants defense. That honor goes to Leonard Williams.
After being traded to the Giants from the Jets in 2019, Williams has become the leader of the defensive unit. Williams has 21 sacks over the course of 53 games played with Big Blue. Now that Lawrence has became a superstar defensive lineman (PFF ranked him as the second best IDL in football), the pressure shifts back to Williams.
Lawrence will be seeing a ton of double teams this fall, which will mean Williams will have favorable one-on-one matchups. The Giants now have a secondary and linebacking corps that can hold their own, which will allow Williams more time to get to the quarterback. He posted 11.5 sacks in 2020 while playing on a much worse defense. He is primed for a double-digit sack season in '23.