Tag: Dexter Lawrence

Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders omitted from PFF’s list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17

Miles Sanders omitted from PFF list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17

Miles Sanders is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, he’s helped carry the Philadelphia Eagles to a division title and he should win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Without all of those accolades and accomplishments this season, Sanders was somehow omitted from Pro Football Focus’s list of the top-50 NFL rookies through Week 17.

That’s correct, even as Sanders shatters Eagles rookie records and cements his status in Philadelphia for years to come, 50 other rookies, some not as dynamic or as impressive, earned a spot on the list according to PFF.

The running backs on the list included, the Raiders Josh Jacobs, who was No. 4 on the list. Other running backs included David Montgomery (No. 37) and the Bills Devin Singletary, who was No. 45 on the list.

Giants’ Dexter Lawrence, Darius Slayton among PFF’s highest-graded rookies

New York Giants DL Dexter Lawrence and WR Darius Slayton are among PFF’s highest-graded rookies entering Week 16.

New York Giants rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded rookies since just about Week 1 this season and that has not changed.

Through 15 weeks, Lawrence remains among PFF’s highest-graded and has even cracked the top five.

5. DI DEXTER LAWRENCE, NEW YORK GIANTS

Lawrence has been a handful in the running game all season for the Giants, producing 18 stops and a 77.5 run-defense grade. What gets us at PFF going, though, is his 29 total quarterback pressures. That’s rare from a big fella, especially for one who only turned 22 years old a month ago. When we compare him to recent first-round defensive tackles (in the table below), you can see just how special he looks.

Year Player Pressures
2019 Dexter Lawrence 29
2019 Christian Wilkins 26
2019 Ed Oliver 25
2018 Vita Vea 26
2018 Daron Payne 27
2017 Jonathan Allen 16

This time around however, Lawrence wasn’t alone. Another Giants rookie has finally joined him among the highest-graded in football and it’s exactly who you might think — wide receiver Darius Slayton.

9. WR DARIUS SLAYTON, NEW YORK GIANTS

The lone Day 3 pick to make our top-10 ranking, Slayton’s making a lot of draft analysts (myself included) look dumb. After dropping eight of his 43 catchable targets last season at Auburn — and four on 33 the season prior — Slayton’s hands have looked drastically improved this season. He’s dropped just three of his 47 catchable targets and has been excellent in contested situations where he’s hauled in 11 of his 22 attempts.

The knock on Slayton coming out of Auburn were his suspect hands, but even with those three drops, he’s more than made up for it by hauling in — as PFF points out — 11 contested receptions, which had made him one of the Giants’ most-trusted targets.

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4 Giants worthy of Pro Bowl consideration

2020 Pro Bowl rosters will be revealed on Tuesday, and here are four New York Giants worthy of consideration.

The New York Giants are not having a great season. In fact, they’re not really having a great decade, having gone through four head coaches (if you count Steve Spagnuolo), two general managers, multiple different offensive and defensive systems, and once again appear poised for major change.

Currently, they are 3-11 on the season and even those three wins are surprising. They are slated to select second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and could soon embark on a head coaching and general manager search.

Despite all of that, there are a few bright spots. And with the 2020 Pro Bowl rosters scheduled to be revealed on Tuesday night, we here at Giants Wire wanted to take a look at a few players worth of consideration.

Enjoy.

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Dalvin Tomlinson

Because the Giants defense has been so poor this season, quality players such as Tomlinson are likely to be overlooked. And while that’s understandable, it’s also unfortunate because the third-year defensive lineman is actually playing quite well this year.

Tomlinson has become a force along the Giants’ defensive line and currently sports a 77.7 Pro Football Focus grade on the heels of a game against the Miami Dolphins in which he graded out with an 82.

In 14 games this season, Tomlinson has recorded 45 tackles, four stuffs, one forced fumble and 3.5 sacks.

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PFF: Sterling Shepard, Nick Gates highest-graded Giants in Week 15

New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard and OL Nick Gates were the team’s highest-graded players courtesy of PFF in Week 15.

The New York Giants finally broke their lengthy losing streak on Sunday, defeating the Miami Dolphins, 36-20, in what may turn out to be Eli Manning’s last ever game.

Unfortunately for Manning, who had three interceptions, he was not among the team’s highest-graded players courtesy of Pro Football Focus, although he should tip his cap to wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who was.

Shepard played exceptionally well after a rough start that included a brutal drop that not only cost the Giants a first down, but potentially cost the team points. However, he rounded nicely and became a critical target for Manning in the second half.

Manning should also tip his cap to reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates, who filled in for an injured Kevin Zeitler (ankle) and played above expectations — something he’s making a habit of.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Dalvtin Tomlinson stood out, each earning PFF grades of 82.

Lawrence got an addition shout-out in the ReFocused segment alongside rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker, who has placed noticeably better of late.

Rookie defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence had one of the best games of his young career against Miami. Lawrence collapsed the pocket on multiple times and wreaked havoc in the middle of the Dolphins offensive line. In addition, while he did not record a sack in the game, he made his presence felt in rushing the passer as well.

Rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker continued his recent form and played well against the Dolphins. Baker got the best of Miami wide receiver DeVante Parker and also made multiple pass breakups on the day.

A quality showing by several up-and-coming Giants in Week 15.

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Giants’ Dexter Lawrence rated 3rd highest rookie by PFF

New York Giants rookie Dexter Lawrence is the third-highest graded rookie by PFF and among the highest-graded at his position in the NFL.

Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, taken 17th overall by the New York Giants int he 2019 NFL Draft, is currently the 3rd-highest rated rookie in the latest rankings compiled by Pro Football Focus.

“Interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been tacking on a good performance each week he has taken the field, paving way to an 83.5 overall grade that ranks eighth at his position,” writes PFF’s Anthony Treash.

“Lawrence has been at his best against the run, where he is fourth at his position in PFF grade at 88.4. His tackling has been just as good as any other defensive lineman — on his 29 tackling attempts, Lawrence has missed just one. While the Giants versus Eagles Monday Night Football matchup in Week 14 may seem unattractive, the matchup between the stout rookie Dexter Lawrence and PFF’s third highest-graded center, Jason Kelce, is one to watch.”

Lawrence has started all 12 games this season, recording 31 tackles (18 solo) with 2.5 sacks, six QB hits, two tackles for losses and a forced fumble.

The top two rookies rated by PFF are Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs and defensive end Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers.

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Do Giants have one of NFL’s top young cores?

Things look bad for the New York Giants right now, but do they actually have one of the NFL’s best young cores?

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The New York Giants are mired in another losing season and fans are beginning to groan that things are never going to change, but when stepping back and looking at their roster objectively, is there enough young talent to warrant some long-term optimism?

Chris Roling of Bleacher Report certainly thinks so. In fact, he believe the Giants have one of the top young cores in the NFL, just edging out the New York Jets.

9. New York Giants

Key Young Core Players: Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence

It is hard not to like a core that has a player with the rushing prowess of Saquon Barkley.

The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year bullied his way to 1,300-plus yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns last year for a bad New York Giants team. While the 22-year-old running back had one particularly awful showing in Week 10 this season (13 carries for one yard), he would still be on pace for nearly a 1,000-yard campaign if he weren’t missing time with a shoulder injury.

Barkley is a nice support for rookie Daniel Jones, who was hindered by a coaching staff unwilling to move on from Eli Manning. The 22-year-old quarterback has shown big upside while completing 63 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions despite taking 32 sacks.

Dexter Lawrence, a first-round pick this year, has quietly been a force. The 22-year-old defensive tackle is the highest-graded player on the Giants because of his run defense (sixth at his position), according to Pro Football Focus.

And there are also guys like tight end Evan Engram (25) and guard Will Hernandez (24), not to mention a young wideout not part of the 25-and-under core in Sterling Shepard.

Roling makes his case without even mentioning breakout wide receiver Darius Slayton, talented linebacker Ryan Connelly and a few other 25-and-under stars like Jabrill Peppers, Dalvin Tomlinson, B.J. Hill and Leonard Williams.

The reality is, the Giants are stocked with young front-end talent, but are struggling due to their inexperience and lack of depth behind them. Time will provide a wealth of knowledge for most, but the Giants still have a lot of roster building to do — this young talent needs some veteran experience and leadership around them. Certainly more than the team has right now.

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Terry McLaurin has NFL’s fourth-highest grade among rookies through Week 10

McLaurin is one of the NFL’s best targets beyond the sticks this season, and his reliability will help Dwayne Haskins down the road.

The Washington Redskins have shifted their focus to rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who will be making his second career start this Sunday against the New York Jets. However, don’t let that distract you from the highly-encouraging season that rookie wide receiver Terry McLaurin has had through these first nine games.

Heading into Week 11, McLaurin ranks as the fourth-highest graded rookie in the 2019 draft class by Pro Football focus, beating out names like Kyler Murray, and Marquise Brown. He trails only Dexter Lawrence, Nick Bosa, and Josh Jacobs.

Here’s what PFF had to say about the rookie:

While reports are circulating as to whether or not Washington should go the Arizona Cardinals route and draft another quarterback in the first round in back-to-back drafts — whoever ends up as Washington’s quarterback of the future will at least have one of the top premier wide receivers in the NFL in Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been one of the most reliable and dangerous downfield threats, as he is tied for fifth in PFF grade on targets past the sticks. It’s safe to say McLaurin is a certified deep threat.

Whether or not Haskins finds success during the rest of his rookie season is yet to be seen, but it helps that his old college teammate is going to be there for him out on the numbers, as reliable an option as there is in the game.

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Dexter Lawrence is the highest-graded Giant per Pro Football Focus

Going into Week 11, rookie Dexter Lawrence is the highest-graded members of the New York Giants courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

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Pro Football Focus released a list on Tuesday ranking the highest graded player on every NFL team. According to this list, rookie defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence is the highest-graded New York Giant (82.8) through the first nine games of the season.

After acquiring the 17th overall pick from the Cleveland Browns last March in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, Giants general manager selected Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence in the first round.

Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Lawrence is already one of the NFL’s best run defenders. In addition to his 82.8 overall grade, Lawrence has earned an 88.0 run-defense grade that ranks sixth at his position so far this season.

Since the start of the regular season, Lawrence has made his presence felt in the middle of the Giants’ defensive line recording 26 tackles and two for a loss in nine starts. This helped earn his 88.0 run-defense grade, good for sixth-best in the league at his position, as previously mentioned.

Coming out of college, scouts labeled Lawrence exclusively as a nose tackle. Despite being considered a one-dimensional player, the Clemson Tigers product has proven these critics wrong with his play on the field as he has seen time lined up in a one, three and five technique.

One of the most impressive plays of his young NFL career came last Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys. When lined up in the three-technique, Lawrence blew up Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins driving him into the backfield to drop running back Zeke Elliot for a loss (see below).

Not only has Lawrence excelled as a run stopper, but he has showcased his pass rushing ability with 2.5 sacks, three hurries, five hits and 10 pressures, as well.

In a disappointing 2-8 start to Big Blue’s season, Lawrence has been one of the few bright spots. There is little doubt this kid has a positive future ahead of him and his rookie season provides a glimmer of hope in the Giants long term blueprint.

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