ESPN recently asked NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 defensive tackles ahead of the 2024 season now that Aaron Donald has retired. Unsurprisingly, New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence made the list but not without a little disrespect.
Not only was Lawrence ranked behind Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) and Quinnen Williams (New York Jets), but at least one person ranked him as the eighth-best at his position.
3. Dexter Lawrence II, New York Giants
Highest ranking: 2 Lowest ranking: 8
Age: 26 Last year’s ranking: 6That’s two elite tackles in the greater North Jersey area, with Lawrence racking up 12 sacks and 49 quarterback hits over the past two seasons while dominating the run game.
Lawrence, who earned a four-year, $87.5 million extension last offseason, ranked second among defensive tackles with an 18.6% pass rush win rate.
Eighth-best. Eighth. That’s certainly something to chew on.
Meanwhile, an NFL coordinator dinged Lawrence for missing some plays but ultimately suggested he “mostly delivers.”
“Elite feet to go with his size and athleticism. It’s like he’s violently dancing out there. He will miss a few plays here and there, near sacks. But he mostly delivers,” the anonymous coordinator said.
A separate AFC scout had a much more complimentary take on Lawrence.
“He’s just an awesome football player,” the scout said. “A unique combo of power, balance and lower-body flexibility, and you combine that with his football acumen and you have a premier player.”
If nothing else, this will likely serve as motivation for Lawrence, who is determined to become the most dominant defensive player in football.
