The New York Giants defense has been stellar to begin the 2022 regular season. The Giants have gotten off to an impressive 2-0 start on the year, propelled by the performances of the defensive side. A few players have stood out for the defense, but almost none more than defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. The Giants are enjoying a resurgent season out of Dexter Lawrence as he has been a nightmare for opposing offenses as both a pass-rusher and run-defender.
Dexter Lawrence is having a resurgent season for the Giants in 2022
Dexter Lawrence has been a stalworth on the New York Giants’ defensive line for the past three seasons. Since being drafted by the Giants with the seventeenth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lawrence has been a full-time starter on the team’s defense. Lawrence has always been a solid player for the Giants, but his production dipped in 2021. To start 2022, though, Dexter has taken his game to another level.
Through two games, Dexter Lawrence has earned six total pressures, three quarterback hits, and three quarterback hurries. New Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has loved coaching Lawrence so far as he has unlocked the best of his player.
“Maybe one of my most favorite players I’ve ever been around in my life.”
New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale on DL Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence stood out in the Giants’ Week Two win against the Carolina Panthers. In that game, he totaled four pressures including one QB hit and three hurries. Lawrence was constantly in the backfield, wreaking havoc on Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Dexter’s highlight play of the game came when he forced a 4th and short after chasing down Mayfield, forcing him out of bounds short of the sticks on third down.
Dexter Lawrence has totaled 151 combined tackles through his career thus far. After a down-year in 2021 where he posted only 2.5 sacks, Lawrence seems primed to surpass his career-high of four sacks from 2020 this year. Dexter Lawrence has continued to be an impactful run-defender, but his improved pass-rushing abilities are making him an X-Factor in the New York Giants defense.