Training camp for the New York Giants begins tomorrow, marking the start of the summer practice sessions. As preparations for the new season commence, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has released its list of the top 50 players for 2025. Among those featured is Giants’ defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who secured the 14th spot.
“Lawrence has emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players over the past three seasons,” PFF stated. His performance in 2024 earned him an 89.9 PFF grade, ranking third among defensive tackles behind Chris Jones and Cameron Heyward. Since 2022, Lawrence leads all interior defenders with a 93.3 PFF grade and ranks second to Jones in PFF WAR. Notably, he is distinguished by his versatility as “the only defensive tackle with 90.0-plus grades in both pass rushing and run defense over that span.”
Last season, Lawrence was on track for a career-best year until an elbow injury sidelined him for the final month. Before his injury, he recorded nine sacks in twelve games and contributed significantly with sixteen quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed.
Despite missing part of the season due to injury, Lawrence was selected to the Pro Bowl for a third consecutive time and voted by his peers to the NFL Players Association All-Pro team. He has consistently been recognized as first-team All-Pro at nose tackle by the NFLPA since this award’s inception three years ago.
Additionally, ESPN’s poll involving over seventy coaches, scouts, and executives recently named Lawrence as the top defensive tackle in the league.
The top fifteen players from PFF’s list include:
1. Edge Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
2. QB Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
3. QB Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
4. QB Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)
5. QB Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)
6. DT Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs)
7. Edge Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)
8. RB Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens)
9. TE George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers)
10. Edge T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
11. T Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles)
12. Edge Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers)
13. T Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
14. DL Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants)
15. T Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers)
In other news around the NFL:
– Bengals owner Mike Brown commented on Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation.
– The Steelers will wear throwback uniforms against Green Bay Packers in Week 8.
– Titans’ QB Will Levis will undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder.
– Rams are focused on their Week 3 rematch with Eagles after last year’s playoff defeat.
– Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr believes his team should lead in interceptions this season.
