Since I also analyze the game of college football, there will always be teams that stand out to me. The 2018 Clemson Tigers are one of those groups. That’s when Trevor Lawrence finally became the starting Quarterback for Dabo Swinney. What I also remember about that team was the Defensive Line that many around the sport were naming the greatest front four in the history of the game. It was a group of veterans that consisted of Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. Speaking of Dexter, he’s made a nice name for himself. The New York Giants drafted with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Today, the Giants have announced a contract extension with the big guy in the middle of their defense. It’s a four-year deal worth $90 million and $60 million guaranteed which will make him one of the highest-paid Defensive Linemen in the league.
Since coming into the league, Dexter has continually climbed the ladder and become one of the better Defensive Linemen in the league. I remember the days when all the guys in the middle of the defensive line had to just clog up the lanes and put a stop to the run. In today’s league, they still are counted on to stop the run, but they also get after the passer as well. Dexter is a 6’4, 342-pound interior guy with a great off after the ball is snapped. For a man his size, his speed impresses me and when the opportunity presents itself, he can also run sideline to sideline to get after the ball-carrier which is something you don’t see from many interior guys these days. Dexter is the menace in the middle of the Giants defense because he affects the play in so many ways as he can rip through blockers and bring down the Running Back. Also, Dexter can impact the game from a pass rushing standpoint as he can close in and help collapse that pocket. As I always say, he may not always get to the Quarterback, but he can apply enough pressure to force teams to zoom in on him and do all they can to eliminate him. For a man of his height and weight, he displays excellent footwork. Dexter displays grown man strength and powers himself through Offensive Lines. His motor is always revved up and going. It’s the combination of passion along with the explosiveness he plays with.
Dexter is a very vocal guy on the Giants defense and has become the heart and soul of the unit. His presence makes all the difference and because of the attention he commands, that allows Linebackers and everyone else around to roam around freely. That’s the purpose of interior guys as they do all the dirty work up front and in the trenches. This is a well-deserved extension for the big guy.
