Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas earn All-Pro selections from media
The praise for some of the Giants' young, breakout players has continued.
Last week, Andrew Thomas was named First-Team All-Pro by ESPN's Bill Barnwell. This week, both Thomas and Dexter Lawrence have been awarded the same honor by another media outlet.
Pro Football Focus recently released their 2022 All-Pro selections, where Thomas was chosen as First-Team All-Pro at left tackle and Lawrence earned the same honor along the defensive line.
"Thomas was the NFL's most consistently excellent left tackle this season..." wrote PFF's Sam Monson. "Thomas registered just two penalties all season and surrendered 21 total pressures on over 600 pass-blocking snaps."
After improving in his second season last year, Thomas took a significant step in his development this season. The 23-year-old started the first 16 games of the year before sitting out the regular-season finale in Philadelphia. The left tackle played 100 percent of the team's offensive snaps in 14 games, while on the field for over 80 percent of the other two contests. The only snaps Thomas missed were due to games being out of hand late in the second half.
View the best photos from the career of Giants All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas.
As for Lawrence, the fourth-year defensive lineman has enjoyed a true breakout campaign. He set new career-highs with 7.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits, shattering his previous high marks of 4.0 sacks and 11 QB hits. Lawrence has also set new career-bests in total tackles (68), tackles for loss (seven), pass breakups (three) and forced fumbles (two).
"Lawrence was one of the most quietly dominant defenders in the league this season," wrote Monson. "While several interior linemen had career years, Lawrence was one of only a few that did not tail off or allow an injury to derail his production. He finished with 63 total pressures and 38 defensive stops — both new career highs."
After never topping 69 percent of defensive snaps played in his first three seasons, Lawrence played a whopping 82 percent of the Giants' defensive snaps in 2022 (864 snaps).
PFF also released their 2022 All-Rookie Team this week, where Kayvon Thibodeaux was chosen as one of the two edge defenders, alongside Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson.
"Thibodeaux's flashes were arguably the most impressive of any rookie defensive lineman," wrote PFF's Michael Renner. "His blend of explosiveness, strength and length was too much for a lot of opposing blockers."
The No. 5 overall pick registered four sacks, six tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups in 14 games. He also finished with 49 total tackles (33 solo) and his first NFL touchdown with his strip-sack of Commanders quarterback Taylor Henicke that the rookie recovered and took into the end zone in Week 15.
"Thibodeaux has 40 pressures on the season from 409 pass-rushing snaps," Monson added. "He has shown some outstanding hustle plays — something he was unfairly criticized for as a draft prospect — and taken advantage of opportunities when the Giants' blitz-happy defense manufactured them for him this year."
View photos of defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence's career with the Giants.