The New York Giants’ 2024 roster appears to be an improving work in progress, but don’t expect experts around the league to genuflect just yet.
In Pro Football Network’s list of the Top 100 Players for 2024, analyst Dallas Robinson lists just two members of Big Blue — defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (No. 19) and recently acquired edge rusher Brian Burns (No. 85).
Now that future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald has retired, Lawrence moves to the top of the list among interior defenders along with Kansas City’s Chris Jones.
19) Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants
There’s no other NFL player quite like Dexter Lawrence. He’s one of the league’s best pass rushers despite standing 6’4” and 340 pounds. While most defensive tackles his size merely take up space, Lawrence finished seventh among interior defenders with 65 pressures in 2023.
Lawrence managed that production despite playing most of his snaps in the A gap, aligned head-up over the center, where he was regularly double-teamed at a 71% rate. He already owns the top two QB-hit seasons (28 in 2022 and 21 in 2023) among players weighing at least 340 pounds.
Burns came over in a trade with Carolina this past March and was immediately rewarded with a massive five-year, $141 million extension. He was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers.
85) Brian Burns, EDGE, New York Giants
The New York Giants added Brian Burns this offseason, giving up a package centered around a second-round draft pick to acquire the pass rusher from the Carolina Panthers.
An athletic marvel, Burns was incredibly consistent for the Panthers, posting at least eight sacks and 18 QB hits in four straight years. Big Blue will blitz less often under new DC Shane Bowen, so they need Burns to help incumbent EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux get after opposing quarterbacks.
The two players, along with outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, could give the Giants a formidable pass rush going forward.
Two Giants who left this offseason via free agency also made the list. Running back Saquon Barkley came in at No. 83 and safety Xavier McKinney snuck in at No. 96.
