Pro Football Focus has listed the top 3 players for the New York Giants entering the 2023 NFL season.
The list consisted of Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, and Saquon Barkley. This group of players being at the top of the roster is a general consensus among Giants fans as they were the core of the team in 2022.
Three very talented young players make the list here for the Giants. Lawrence took a step into truly elite territory, earning a 91.6 overall grade in 2022. Thomas took a similar leap into elite play with a 90.1 overall grade and an 89.3 pass-blocking grade. Barkley recorded the highest rushing grade of his career (82.2) while setting a career high in explosive runs of 10 yards or more (36).
Lawrence was ranked the No. 2 interior defender by PFF in 2022 as he had quite the breakout season. The former first-round pick from Clemson recorded 35 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles as he anchored the Giants’ run defense and pass rush earning him a Second-Team All-Pro nod.
On the other side of the ball, Thomas took the next step in 2022 as he was one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. He was the third-ranked offensive tackle by PFF as he allowed only three sacks and 21 pressures while facing some of the league’s best pass rushes (Philidelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys) twice. Being the rock of the Giants’ offensive line that facilitated Daniel Jones’ improvement and led one of the best-rushing offenses in the NFL also earned him a Second-Team All-Pro nod.
And that elite rushing offense would not be possible without Barkley returning to his superstar level in 2022. He recorded a career-high 1,312 rushing yards while also adding 10 rushing touchdowns, 57 receptions, and 338 receiving yards. Barkley earned his second Pro Bowl appearance as he helped carry the Giants to its first playoff victory in a decade.
The only other player considered by PFF for this list was Leonard Williams who was ranked the 19th interior defender. Williams has been one of the best defenders for Big Blue over the past three seasons with 20.5 sacks. He and Lawrence will look to lead one of the best defensive lines again in 2023.
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