One of the more consistent players for the New York Giants over the last few years has been Dexter Lawrence. Despite the injuries along the defensive line here in 2022, Lawrence has continued to improve and flourish.
Lawrence was, of course, selected 17th overall in the 2019 NFL draft — a pick the Giants acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the infamous Odell Beckham Jr. trade.
Now, with his fourth season in full force, Lawrence still does not believe he has reached his full potential.
“No, I don’t. I’m 24, I still got a lot of football ahead of me. I’m just learning my position better, and I got good coaches around me to help me develop my skills, my skill levels and get better,” Lawrence told reporters on Friday. “Got good guys around me like Leo (Williams) and Nick (Williams) and Jelly (Justin Ellis) who can also help me develop in different ways. I don’t think I’m at my peak yet.”
Lawrence was the third defensive lineman taken out of Clemson in 2019 and the Giants should feel lucky Lawrence was the one that fell to them. He has arguably been the best of the three Clemson linemen taken in that draft.
Lawrence was named a team captain for the first time this year, an honor that was voted on by his teammates. He has been an example of consistency, not just this year but also in his first three years where he has played in every game since entering the NFL.
With the current state of the Giants, they need their youthful players to continue to flourish. With the right general manager and head coach believed to be in place, Big Blue needs to see more young players continue to improve.
If Lawrence is indeed just scratching the surface, the Giants got themselves a solid piece to build around for years to come.
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