Because the New York Giants finished 25th in total defense, 20th against the run and 28th against the pass last season, it’s easy to overlook the positives on that side of the ball.
Yet, NFL Network ranked defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence No. 9 on a list of Year 2 defensive linemen who are poised for a breakout campaign in 2020.
“Just like Wilkins, Lawrence’s former Clemson teammate, Lawrence wasn’t necessarily spectacular — but he was still underappreciated in 2019, logging 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 16 starts,” writes NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt.