The dominance of Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ 26-year-old Pro Bowl defensive tackle, has been a beacon of hope for a struggling team. As the Giants prepare to take on the Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 8, fans are eager to see if Lawrence can continue his torrid pace, which has seen him rack up 9.0 sacks through seven games, leading the NFL in that category.
Despite facing double-teams 63.3% of the time, a staggering rate according to NFL Next Gen Stats, Lawrence has shown an uncanny ability to shed blocks and get to the quarterback. His production is not only impressive, but it’s also a testament to the job done by new defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, who was poached from the Titans this offseason.
With six sacks in his last three games, Lawrence is building on an impressive resume that already includes two second-team All-Pro selections. Since being drafted with the 17th overall pick in 2019, Lawrence has been a mainstay on the Giants’ defensive line, starting in 80 of 87 games, including every game over the last five seasons.
Lawrence’s 2022 season was a breakout year, with 7.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, 68 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 28 quarterback hits. While it’s ambitious to expect him to match that exact production, it’s clear that he’s building towards another career year.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Lawrence can sustain this level of performance and bring home a first-team All-Pro selection. Based on his current pace, it’s not out of the question. With the Giants struggling to find consistency, Lawrence’s individual brilliance has been a silver lining, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if he can lead the team to a turnaround.
