New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence Is An Underrated Pass-Rusher

The New York Giants had a defense-heavy draft in 2019. Despite drafting a quarterback with the 6th overall pick, the Giants made defense their main priority in the 2019 NFL Draft.

After drafting their next franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones with their first pick in the 1st-round, New York followed that up by drafting defense with each of their next five selections. However, it took the Giants until the 3rd-round to draft a designated pass-rusher.

Most fans believe that the Giants did not get a pass-rusher until the 3rd-round but that is not necessarily true. While it is true that Oshane Ximines is the only edge-rusher that New York took in the first three rounds, it is not true that he is the only defender they drafted who is capable of getting after the quarterback.

Dexter Lawrence Stats And Highlights As A Pass-Rusher

The Giants drafted their first defender with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. New York’s second 1st-round pick, Dexter Lawrence, has been pegged as a pure run-stopper. But Dexter Lawrence is much more than that.

Lawrence is an excellent run-defender, no doubt about it. The rookie totaled 18 tackles for loss in his three-year collegiate career. He also racked up 25 defensive snaps.

But Dexter’s dominance does not end there. Lawrence proved he is a skilled pass-rusher in college too. This makes him a supremely versatile talent for the Giants’ young defense.

In 2018, Dexter Lawrence totaled an impressive 33 pressures (Pro Football Focus). Dexter was often in the face of opposing quarterbacks. He also added 10 sacks in three collegiate seasons.

In fact, he was in the backfield at one of the highest percentages of the 2019 NFL Draft class. Lawrence posted a pressure percentage of 13.8%. This was the third-highest percentage in the draft class, putting him behind only Quinnen Williams and Christian Wilkins.

Dexter Lawrence is a 342-pound defensive “hog-molly” with the ability to dominate both against the run and the pass. The Giants were lucky to steal him with the 17th pick in the NFL Draft.