New York Giants: What Massive DT Dexter Lawrence Brings to the Defense

The New York Giants pick Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Measuring in at 6’4″, 342-pounds was New York Giants first-round pick Dexter Lawrance at the NFL Combine. Imagine a bigger Vince Wilfork with similar strength and mobility.

Lawrence is a monster interior defender, working from the inside to attack the quarterback and plug up holes against the run. The Giants drafted him with the 17th overall pick in the draft, one of three first-rounders they used to bolster the team as a whole.

The Clemson product will fit seamlessly into the defensive front. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher features a 3-4 scheme that requires three down lineman and two outside linebackers to rush the passer. It’s very reliant on the defensive lineman to draw multiple blockers and win in the trenches. Lawrence does exactly that as he’s well versed in success coming from a Nation Title winning Clemson, team.

However, many were perplexed at the drafting of Lawrance with Montez Sweat and several premium offensive tackles on the board.

New York Giants’ Dexter Lawrence wants to prove everyone wrong:

“I’m definitely underrated,” he said. “It’s kind of on me to prove myself, right? I’ve always been able to collapse the pocket, now I’m focused on escaping blocks or finishing the plays and things like that.”

MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees, dj lemahieu
Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees expect to use veteran infielder as primary 3B when he returns

Tom Thibodeau: Knicks’ RJ Barrett is going to be a special player

New York Knicks

Windhorst: ‘Scott Perry will be around Knicks longer’

Bucks beat Heat, give Knicks a shot at finishing as 4th seed

new york knicks, julius randle, reggie bullock

New lease on life at 40: Knicks zap Hornets in OT, stay alive for No.4

Julius Randle becomes first Knick to win NBA Player of the Month since Carmelo Anthony

Smelling like a Rose: Knicks clinch first winning season in 8 years

Jared Harper named to All-NBA G League First team but still long shot to crack Knicks rotation

Knicks’ Randle fined $15K for ‘fu***ing ridiculous’ postgame rant

New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau

Pool report says Thibodeau late to challenge costly call in Knicks’ loss to 76ers

Knicks suffer another heartbreaker but Thibodeau finds silver linings

With Drummond, Turner on Knicks’ radar, what does this mean for Robinson?

Anti-climactic ending in Atlantic: Knicks’ comeback falls short in Nets’ nest

RJ Barrett’s career game propels Knicks back over .500

new york knicks, julius randle

All-Star break hangover or harbinger? Knicks suffer season’s worst loss

Knicks rookie Obi Toppin falls short in Slam Dunk, hopes to return next year

Knicks pick up Quinton Rose to replace Myles Powell

All-Star send-off: Randle powers Knicks over .500 after Pistons rout

Motown Beatdown: Knicks seize solo fourth after routing Pistons

New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

Frank Four The Win: Knicks reach .500, tie Raptors at No. 4

Royal Beating: Knicks pounce on Kings, move up to 5th spot

Warriors spoil Randle’s All-Star coronation, Knicks’ fans return

New York Knicks finally have an All-Star: Julius Randle named to East’s reserves

Hart, Rawlings or somebody else? Feldman weighs in on Paige VanZant’s next BKFC fight

Knicks fall under Magic’s spell in tough loss

New York Knicks, Julius Randle

Hard work is undefeated: Randle drops 44 in Knicks’ 3rd straight win

Knicks begin life without Mitchell Robinson with easy victory over Rockets

Shaquille O’Neal nears investor deal with BKFC after KnuckleMania success

Knicks suffer another Heat-breaker on Derrick Rose’s debut

New York Knicks, Derrick Rose

Report: Pistons, Knicks discuss Rose-Ntilikina swap

Knicks deny Carmelo Anthony a historic moment at home, climb to 6th spot

Paige VanZant open to fight Bec Rawlings in BKFC on one condition

New York Knicks, Elfrid Payton

Payton’s redemption game lifts Knicks to a split in Chicago

LaVine La Vida Loca: Bulls’ gunner hits dagger in heartbreaking Knicks loss

Knicks put up gallant stand against Clippers

Quickley catches fire as Knicks rout Cavaliers

New York Knicks, Austin Rivers

Knicks fail to sustain hot start, lose to Jazz

Knicks’ comeback fall short on Quickley’s career night

New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson

New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson’s trainer shuts down rumor

Seventh Heaven: Knicks survive Magic

Knicks gift Thibodeau a much-needed birthday win

Damyean Dotson haunts Knicks in fifth straight loss

Who runs New York? Nets land Harden then beat Knicks

Brooklyn goes all-in, net Harden in blockbuster 4-team trade

Knicks need quick fix after second straight loss

New York Knicks, Austin Rivers

Knickerbocker swagger: Rivers delivers in another Knicks comeback

New York Knicks, Austin Rivers

Quivers Fever: Knicks stay hot on the road

New York Knicks, Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton sparks Knicks’ shock upset of Bucks

New York Knicks, RJ Barrett

Marked Man: RJ Barrett unfazed as Knicks host Doc Rivers’ 76ers

New York Knicks add ‘Baby Thibodeau’ Darren Erman to coaching staff

Obi Toppin on reppin’ New York: ‘I’m not going to take it for granted’

New York Knicks, Leon Rose

Knicks move up in the draft, send 2 picks to Jazz for No.23

Report: James Harden badly wants Nets trade, rejects Rockets’ massive extension offer

Report: Brooklyn on top of James Harden’s wishlist but Nets divided on the idea

Breaking: 3 Knicks employees test positive for coronavirus; MSG training center shut down

New York Knicks, Marcus Morris

Bradley Beal leaves door open for Nets, other contenders

Brooklyn Nets, Joe Harris

Will the Knicks hit or miss on Nets’ unrestricted free agent Joe Harris?

New York Knicks, Lamelo Ball

LaMelo Ball joins Knicks’ RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox at Puma

Alexis Lafrenière

New York Rangers’ John Davidson says Alexis Lafreniere is the ‘complete package’ (Video)

Boo Buie, Knicks
Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Knicks sign undrafted guard to two-way contract

Baseball: World Baseball Classic - Semifinal Japan vs Mexico
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dodgers could land Japanese superstar with 102 MPH fastball in free agency

Baseball: World Baseball Classic - Semifinal Japan vs Mexico
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Yankees could see 23-year-old Japanese superstar hit free agency

With only 1.5 sacks in 2018, Dexter is still developing his pass-rush. He believes, though, that there’s a ton of potential in that category as he’s fast off the line of scrimmage and can bulldoze through the opposing offensive line.

“The first thing that jumps out about Dexter is he’s a pretty big man,” Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s a guy that can play the run and rush the passer. When you pick a guy from Clemson, and he’s played on the biggest stage there is in college football… this isn’t going to be too big for him. We’re looking forward to getting him going.”

There’s no question that Bettcher will use the big defensive tackle to the best of his abilities, but staying healthy will be his biggest challenge. The physicality of the NFL and the injuries he picked up while at Clemson might pose a concern, but managing his body and engaging in the proper methods of rejuvenation should aid in his maintainance.

 

Mentioned in this article:

More about: