Dexter Lawrence named Giants' potential 2021 breakout player
The Giants made several big moves on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.
Leonard Williams was signed to a multi-year deal just before the start of free agency, and about a week later, Adoree' Jackson was added to the secondary. In the draft, four of the team's six picks were spent on defensive players, including the selections of Azeez Ojulari (second-round), Aaron Robinson (third-round) and Elerson Smith (fourth-round).
One player that stands to benefit from all of these moves is defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who is coming off a strong 2020 campaign himself.
CBS Sports picked a potential breakout player for each NFC team heading into the 2021 season, and the third-year defensive lineman was the choice for Big Blue.
As CBS Sports' Patrik Walker writes, "Leonard Williams is secured and rookie linebacker Azeez Olujari is impressing in OTAs, but let's not go overlooking Lawrence. This time two years ago, he was the first-round pick in New York, and he's been starting since."
Lawrence is yet to miss a game in his NFL career. Last year, the 6-foot-4, 342-pound lineman registered 53 tackles (30 solo), four sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and two passes defended, all of which topped his rookie marks. In fact, his sack total nearly doubled that from his first season, which shows that "the needle on his potential is aimed due north," as Walker notes.
Lawrence's 79.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020 finished 17th among all interior defensive lineman. The analytics site recently ranked him No. 16 on its list of the league's top defensive tackles.
"With Williams coming off of a breakout season, the presence of Olujari, Blake Martinez (and others) and a seemingly upgraded secondary, Lawrence should see room to impose his will upon opposing offenses more in Year 3," Walker adds.
Catch up on all the action with must-see photos from minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB James Bradberry (24)
CB Logan Ryan (23), DL Leonard Williams (99)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
G Will Hernandez (71)
DL B.J. Hill (95), DL Dexter Lawrence (97)
G Shane Lemieux (66), OL Andrew Thomas (78)
TE Cole Hikutini (48)
LB Lorenzo Carter (59)
RB Corey Clement (30)
S Julian Love (20)
DE Niko Lalos (57)
WR Dante Pettis (13)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Julian Love (20)
TE Evan Engram (88)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
CB Quincy Williams (28)
New York Giants linebacker Elerson Smith (58)
S Julian Love (20)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kenny Golladay (19), WR Kelvin Benjamin (83)
TE Evan Engram (88)
S Julian Love (20)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Devontae Booker (28)
LB Cale Garrett (41)
LB Lorenzo Carter (59)
RB Gary Brightwell (37)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR Dante Pettis (13)
OT Matt Peart (74), G Will Hernandez (71), G Shane Lemieux (66), G Chad Slade (62)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
OT Matt Peart (74), G Will Hernandez (71), G Shane Lemieux (66), G Chad Slade (62)
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
WR Alex Bachman (15)
OT Matt Peart (74), G Will Hernandez (71), G Shane Lemieux (66)
LB Cale Garrett (41)
WR John Ross (12)
WR C.J. Board (18)
DE Niko Lalos (57)
TE Evan Engram (88)
DE Niko Lalos (57)
DE Niko Lalos (57)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
LB Blake Martinez (54)
RB Gary Brightwell (37)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
WR Austin Mack (81)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
DT David Moa (96)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
DL R.J. McIntosh (90)
LB Elerson Smith (58)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
LB Elerson Smith (58)
CB Isaac Yiadom (27)
CB Isaac Yiadom (27)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
CB James Bradberry (24)
DB Joshua Kalu (39)
CB James Bradberry (24)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
CB Sam Beal (34)
S Jabrill Peppers (21)
DB Joshua Kalu (39)
CB Quincy Williams (28)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
DB Madre Harper (45)
S Julian Love (20)
S Julian Love (20)
CB Jarren Williams (38)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
LB Tae Crowder (48)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
TE Cole Hikutini (48)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
LB TJ Brunson (35)
WR Derrick Dillon (6)
TE Cole Hikutini (48)
LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
WR John Ross (12)
Zach Fulton (73)
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
RB Ryquell Armstead (27)
G Jake Burton (70)
RB Sandro Platzgummer (34)
RB Sandro Platzgummer (34)
RB Ryquell Armstead (27)
RB Corey Clement (30)
RB Ryquell Armstead (27)
RB Corey Clement (30)
G Nick Gates (65)
RB Corey Clement (30)
RB Corey Clement (30)
FB Cullen Gillaspia (36)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
WR John Ross (12)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR Kadarius Toney (89)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
LB Carter Coughlin (49)
Darnay Holmes (30)
CB Sam Beal (34), S Julian Love (20), S Xavier McKinney (29), CB Darnay Holmes (30)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
Darnay Holmes (30)
G Chad Slade (62)
CB Sam Beal (34), S Julian Love (20), S Xavier McKinney (29), CB Darnay Holmes (30)
DB Isaac Yiadom (27), CB James Bradberry (24)
DB Isaac Yiadom (27), CB James Bradberry (24)
OT Andrew Thomas (78)
LB Devante Downs (52)
LB Reggie Ragland (55)
WR David Sills V (84), CB Rodarius Williams (25)
WR David Sills V (84), CB Rodarius Williams (25)
WR Austin Mack (81)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR Sterling Shepard (3)
WR David Sills V (84)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
WR Darius Slayton (86)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
WR CJ Board (18)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Jabrill Peppers (21)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
DB Montre Hartage (36)
DB Madre Harper (45)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
DB Montre Hartage (36)
DB Joshua Kalu (39)
CB Jarren Williams (38)
CB Jarren Williams (38)
DB Issac Yiadom (27)
CB James Bradberry (24)
S Julian Love (20)
S Julian Love (20)
S Jabrill Peppers (21)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Julian Love (20)
S Jabrill Peppers (21)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Julian Love (20)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
DB Joshua Kalu (39)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
DB Joshua Kalu (39)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
CB James Bradberry (24)
CB Julian Love (20)
DB Jabrill Peppers (21)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
DB Logan Ryan (23)
DB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
DB Logan Ryan (23)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
CB Adoree' Jackson (22)
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney (89) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
TE Nakie Griffin-Stewart (47), G Chad Slade (62)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
P Riley Dixon (9)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
OL Andrew Thomas (78)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
OL Andrew Thomas (78)
P Riley Dixon (9), K Graham Gano (5)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
P Riley Dixon (9), K Graham Gano (5)
P Riley Dixon (9), K Graham Gano (5)
RB Gary Brightwell (37)
TE Evan Engram (88)
P Riley Dixon (9), K Graham Gano (5)
RB Gary Brightwell (37)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
RB Elijhaa Penny (39)
TE Evan Engram (88)
RB Devontae Booker (28)
OL Jonotthan Harrison (64)
OL Jonotthan Harrison (64)
CB Logan Ryan (23)
WR C.J. Board (18)
OL Jonotthan Harrison (64)
DL R.J. McIntosh (90), Raymond Johnson III (91)
WR C.J. Board (18)
CB Logan Ryan (23)
RB Corey Clement (30)
TE Evan Engram (88)
RB Corey Clement (30)
Leonard Williams (99), DE B.J. Hill (95)
TE Evan Engram (88)
RB Corey Clement (30)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
Leonard Williams (99), DE B.J. Hill (95)
CB Logan Ryan (23)
RB Corey Clement (30)
RB Corey Clement (30)
QB Mike Glennon (2), RB Corey Clement (30)
RB Corey Clement (30)
G Nick Gates (65)
TE Nakie Griffin-Stewart (47), G Chad Slade (62)
OT Matt Peart (74)
Daniel Jones, Kenny Golladay forming strong bond
The Giants have had numerous prolific quarterback/wide receiver tandems in their 96-year history. Y.A. Tittle and Del Shofner. Fran Tarkenton and Homer Jones. Kerry Collins and Amani Toomer. Eli Manning and – at different times - Plaxico Burress, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham, Jr.
Could Daniel Jones and Kenny Golladay someday join or at least approach those productive and exciting duos?
Granted, such talk is wildly premature, considering Jones and Golladay have yet to play a game – or even wear pads – together. But their new partnership has brought an exhilaration not just to the offense, but to the two players who are so energized to be teammates.
"It's been great working with Kenny so far," Jones said last week after the first of three minicamp practices. "You can tell he's a true pro. He understands offensive football. He's still obviously learning our system, but you can tell he's got a good understanding of football and where to be, kind of timing and understanding concepts.
"He's been fun to work with. Obviously, his talent and skill level, you can tell as soon as you can get on the field with him he's a good player, smart player and I'm excited to keep working with him."
Jones and Golladay didn't wait for the team's offseason program to begin working together.
"Me and Danny hooked up a few times outside of the facility," Golladay said. "I didn't really come into it with any expectations to be honest but as of right now, that's my boy. I can't wait to just really work with him deeper in training camp and especially when the season starts."
Jones is entering his third season as the Giants' starting quarterback eager to continue his ascent and lead the Giants to their first postseason berth in five seasons. Golladay joined them in March as their most prominent free agent acquisition, a gifted wide receiver looking to return to the level that enabled him caught an NFL-high 11 touchdown passes in 2019 after injuries limited him to five games last year.
By those benchmarks, this would seem to be, as a reporter put it to him, a "make-or-break year" for Jones … and a significant season for Golladay.
"I'm not sure I necessarily think of it that way," Jones said of the external expectations placed on him. "I think right now my focus is on what I can do to improve and I think making sure that I'm improving every day and getting myself in a position to go into training camp prepared and be prepared to start the season. So I think that's my focus now that there's - we've all got to perform in the NFL and you're expected to perform at a certain level. So certainly understand that, but right now, the only way to get there is to focus on what we're doing here every day at practice."
Golladay conceded he views his move to the Giants as an opportunity to prove to a new team and fan base how well he can play.
"One hundred percent," he said. "This is just a new chapter in my life right now. I definitely feel like I have to go out there and prove to other people including myself, it's different for me. I got drafted to Detroit. Played all four years there. This is a whole different environment right now. So, I'm just ready to accept the challenge and just ready to go to work."
Opposing playmakers on Giants' 2021 schedule
Check out the gallery below to view photos of the top playmakers from each of the Giants' 2021 opponents.
View photos of the top playmakers from each of the Giants' 2021 opponents.
New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos QB Drew Lock
Denver Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
Denver Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy
Denver Broncos WR KJ Hamler
Denver Broncos RB Melvin Gordon
Denver Broncos RB Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant
New York Giants at Washington Football Team, New York Giants vs. Washington Football Team
Washington Football Team QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
Washington Football Team WR Terry McLaurin
Washington Football Team WR Curtis Samuel
Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson
Washington Football Team RB J.D. McKissic
Washington Football Team TE Logan Thomas
New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan
Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley
Atlanta Falcons WR Russell Gage
Atlanta Falcons RB Mike Davis
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts
Atlanta Falcons TE Hayden Hurst
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints QB Taysom Hill
New Orleans Saints QB Jameis Winston
New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas
New Orleans Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara
New Orleans Saints TE Nick Vannett
New Orleans Saints TE Adam Trautman
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys WR Amari Cooper
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb
Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin
New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp
Los Angeles Rams WR Van Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers
Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee
New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold
Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore
Carolina Panthers WR Robby Anderson
Carolina Panthers WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey
Carolina Panthers TE Dan Arnold
New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill
Kansas City Chiefs WR Demarcus Robinson
Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman
Kansas City Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr
Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III
Las Vegas Raiders WR John Brown
Las Vegas Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs
Las Vegas Raiders RB Kenyan Drake
Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles WR Travis Fulgham
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jalen Reagor
Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith
Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders
Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz
Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker
Miami Dolphins WR Will Fuller
Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle
Miami Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin
Miami Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki
Miami Dolphins TE Hunter Long
New York Giants at Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen
Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams
Los Angeles Chargers WR Josh Palmer
Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler
Los Angeles Chargers TE Jared Cook
New York Giants at Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears QB Andy Dalton
Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields
Chicago Bears WR Allen Robinson
Chicago Bears WR Darnell Mooney
Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller
Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery
Chicago Bears RB Tarik Cohen
Chicago Bears TE Jimmy Graham
Chicago Bears TE Cole Kmet
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
