With Aaron Donald now retired, New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence assumes the role of the league’s most dominant interior defensive lineman. Even prior to that retirement, a case could be made for Sexy Dexy.
But what about the depth behind Lawrence? Does his position as the No. 1 interior defensive lineman raise the unit’s overall value enough to be considered at the top of the league?
As it turns out, some believe that answer is “no.”
Here’s a look at where the Giants landed in the interior defensive linemen rankings of ESPN’s Mike Clay:
Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Poona Ford, Justin Eboigbe
Kurt Hinish, Khalil Davis, Folorunso Fatukasi, Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Jr.
Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, Roy Lopez
Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Jack Heflin, Khristian Boyd
Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Byron Cowart, Michael Dwumfour
Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy
Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Bobby Brown III, Larrell Murchison, Desjuan Johnson
Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore
Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston, Carl Davis, Viliami Fehoko
Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, PJ Mustipher
Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Jalyn Holmes
Jeffery Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day, T’Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn, TK McLendon Jr.
Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, Daquan Jones, DeShawn Williams, DeWayne Carter
Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson
B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, Kris Jenkins, Zachary Carter, McKinnley Jackson
Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, William Gholston
Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst, Michael Hall Jr.
Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, T.Y. McGill
Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris, Adam Gotsis, Maason Smith, Davon Hamilton
Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, John Ridgeway, Phidarian Mathis
Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Byron Young, Nesta Jade Silvera
Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Tedarrell Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden
Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry
Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington Jr., Brent Urban
Chris D. Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, Neil Farrell Jr.
Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Ta’Quon Graham, Lacale London
Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Dre’Mont Jones, Johnathan Hankins
Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader, John Cominsky, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko
DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson