He’s been an immovable force along the defensive line for three years for the New York Giants, but All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II is in for a rude awakening during the 2025 NFL season, despite being surrounded by a host of gifted disruptors up front.
The Giants are building a terrifying front led by versatile edge-rushers like third-overall draft pick Abdul Carter, but Lawrence remains the centerpiece. He should be even more effective with Carter and fellow outside pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux occupying blockers, but Lawrence can still expect to get plenty of attention.
That’s the note of caution from Giants.com writers Dan Salomone and Matt Citak. They believe it’s folly to think Lawrence can “lead the Giants in sacks for the third time in four years.”
Both cite Lawrence still being the one member of Big Blue’s D-line opponents will put the most bodies around. It’s good for Carter and Co., but far from ideal for No. 97.
Dexter Lawrence II Still a Marked Man
As Salomone put it, “if we thought Dex got a lot of attention last season, he added a third Pro Bowl accolade and a career-high nine sacks to his resume. But we know what those double teams will do. They will free up Bran Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and now Abdul Carter.”
Double teams have become a part of life for Lawrence whenever he takes to the field, but he’s only going to see more of them. That’s according to Citak, who declared, “after three consecutive dominant seasons, I expect Lawrence to face the most double teams from opposing offensive lines.”
Those are reasonable expectations after Lawrence “has faced the highest double team rate of any IDL by almost double the next one,” according to Dan Schneier of CBS Sports. Somehow, the dominant zero-technique has still managed to generate a league-best 103 pressures from nose guard, per Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus.
Lawrence being this disruptive when he’s been the lone elite game-wrecker on the front seven is even more impressive. His track record means numbers should only go up for Lawrence with more talent around him, but it’s not so straightforward.
There’s a reason Citak picked Burns to supplant Lawrence as the team’s sack leader. It’s not just because of a new strategy for the flexible linebacker.
Giants No Longer Reliant on 3-Time Pro Bowler
Lawrence hasn’t just led the way for the Giants because of his awesome talent. He’s also been the player the team has consistently game-planned its pass rush around.
The need to build around the big man in the middle has been lessened by the arrival of Carter. Adding another flexible edge defender, former Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Chauncey Golston, to the mix will also help.
Just like veteran defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and a rookie amoeba, third-round pick Darius Alexander, can ease the burden on Lawrence. The landscape is changing around Lawrence because the Giants have added enough pieces so he no longer has to be the focal point.
It’s a good problem to have because the 27-year-old isn’t about to stop causing havoc amid increased competition to feast on offenses. Not based on how strong Lawrence looked during minicamp, particularly in this candid moment highlighted by Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.
This is a welcome sight after the dislocated elbow that ended what was shaping up to be a special 2024 season for Lawrence. He may not hit those heights again this year, and the Giants don’t need him to, but Lawrence will remain somebody opponents can’t ignore.
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