Giants’ Dexter Lawrence competing against himself to be NFL’s best DT

The New York Giants haven’t had a player who is the best at their position in quite some time. That’s changed with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, especially now that Los Angeles Rams future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald has retired.

In a Sunday interview with Kay Adams of Up & Adams, Lawrence was asked who he is competing with these days for the top spot in the NFL.

With Aaron Donald now retired… is #Giants 2x All Pro DT Dexter Lawrence the BEST DT in the NFL??

“I don’t think about (being the best DT)… I kinda just live it in a sense.” @agentdexy97 @heykayadams @Giants pic.twitter.com/w6ieXYgpNp

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 11, 2024

“It’s a daily grind against myself,” he said after Adams rattled off some accomplishments and statistics.

One of the most glaring stats that exemplifies how much better Lawrence is than the rest of the field, is his ability to create pressure from the interior of the defense. Nobody does it better.

#Giants DT Dexter Lawrence lead the league with 81 QB PRESSURES as a nose tackle.

Second best behind him? 16 QB PRESSURES…🤯

Please explain yourself @agentdexy97 🔊@heykayadams @Giants pic.twitter.com/Vn1wjIbAkc

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 11, 2024

This offseason, the Giants added Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns via trade. Burns was amazed at how quick the 6-foot-4, 342-pound Lawrence was in person.

“Just look at him. A guy that big shouldn’t be moving that fast,” Burns said laughingly. “When he takes grown men and tosses them to the side, yeah, it’s amazing.”

The best could be yet to come for Lawrence as the Giants have been building their defensive front with more quality players.

“That D-line competition is as strong as any competition on our team right now,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said at the beginning of training camp.

“I feel like we’ve got really good depth. And right now, as it stands, there’s going to be some good football players that don’t make this team in that room, and they’re battling. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that shakes out.”

No matter how it shakes out, Lawrence will be front and center, that is for sure.