If there’s any reason to be excited about the New York Giants in 2020, it’s because of their youth foundation. The Giants have made it a priority to fill weak positions with draft picks and young free agents who can uplift the team for the future. They have fully committed to the rebuild with new head coach Joe Judge under the helm, and understand that developing high upside players is how they can become a good football team. The defense is likely the most unproven unit between the offense and special teams.
The secondary is a patchwork situation, and the pass rush has not entered the elite or above average category just yet. Nonetheless, they have several young players at every unit that could have been fantastic 2020 campaigns.
Two New York Giants defensive players who are primed for big seasons:
1.) Dexter Lawrence
When the Giants drafted 6-foot-4 and 342-pound interior defender Dexter Lawrence, everybody saw the writing on the wall. This had Dave Gettleman written all over it, and while some might have been disappointed in this election, Lawrence proved that he has a bright future in the NFL. A player of his size with his athleticism is tough to come by, and he posted 38 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks in his rookie season. He played in all 16 games, getting to the quarterback more times than even Leonard Williams managed (not a tough thing to do).
Lawrence spent this offseason slimming down to improve his mobility in the trenches:
“This offseason I definitely focused on (that),” Lawrence said. “I got a personal trainer, we focused on eating, portion control, I got a chef. I didn’t really like my build last year (when his listed weight was 342 pounds). This year I tried to focus on losing a little bit of weight just so I can be better on the field. I’m out there running a lot better than I did last year. That’s just the goal for me each year. Feel better and be better.”
Lawrence is an elite run stopper who can also push the pocket and get after the quarterback. His blend of attributes and talents are only starting to reach their potential, which is the most exciting part of his game. I fully anticipate Lawrence taking a major step forward in 2020, given the chemistry between himself, Williams, and Dalvin Tomlinson. In addition, new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham loves to dial-up unique blitzes, and I believe he’ll be factored into that equation. Drawing multiple double teams at every interior defensive line position it will open up opportunities for them to put immediate pressure on quarterbacks.
The Giants are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one next Monday, and their head coach, Mike Tomlin, had very nice things to say about Lawrence’s game.
“He’s a big dudeâ€, Tomlin said of Lawrence yesterday in speaking to reporters. “He’s uniquely active for a guy his size, and he’s ridiculously agile for a guy his size. I think all of that makes him the dangerous guy that he is, and that’s why he was drafted where he was draftedâ€.