Where do Giants land on PFF's 2023 defensive line rankings?
With spring football now in the rearview mirror, the countdown to training camp is on.
Pro Football Focus has recently been analyzing each position group from all 32 teams ahead of the 2023 season. The analytics site took a look at every defensive line and ranked them 1 through 32, where the Giants landed in the top 10 at No. 9.
"No player improved as much as interior defender Dexter Lawrence did in 2022, ending the campaign as the second-highest-graded player at his position (91.6)," wrote PFF's Zoltan Buday. "Lawrence and Leonard Williams form arguably the best interior defender duo in the NFL. This defensive line could enter the next tier if either of their young edge defenders — Kayvon Thibodeaux or Azeez Ojulari — make a leap in 2023."
Lawrence enjoyed a true breakout campaign in 2022 on his way to being named Second-Team All-Pro. The fourth-year defensive lineman 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. He has also set new career-bests in total tackles (68), tackles for loss (seven), pass breakups (three) and forced fumbles (two), which led to his first selection to the Pro Bowl. Lawrence registered 70 total pressures, including the playoffs, and 42 defensive stops, according to PFF.
Williams missed time due to injury for the first time in his eight-year career this past season. In the 12 games he did play, the veteran lineman registered 45 tackles (26 solo), 2.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a career-best two fumble recoveries.
A knee injury suffered during the preseason led to Thibodeaux not making his NFL debut until Week 3. He finished his rookie year with 49 tackles (33 solo), four sacks, six tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one touchdown, and five passes defensed. The 22-year-old flashed his potential during the Giants' Week 15 win over the Washington Commanders, a game that Thibodeaux dominated. The former Oregon Duck finished with 12 tackles (nine solo), a sack, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble which he recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Ojulari was on the field for just seven games (five starts) in 2022. However, when he was out there, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound outside linebacker made his presence felt. Ojulari recorded 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback hits in his limited action. This came one year after his eight sacks in 2021 set a new official franchise rookie record.
In addition to those four, the Giants' defensive front also boasts plenty of depth. Veterans A'Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches were signed during free agency to bolster the interior D-line. On the outside, both Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines were re-signed. The two outside linebackers combined for five sacks, three forced fumbles, 10 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and six passes defensed last season.
Here are PFF's top 10 defensive fronts:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- San Francisco 49ers
- Washington Commanders
- Miami Dolphins
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
- Buffalo Bills
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Tennessee Titans
View photos of every move made by the Giants during the 2023 cycle.
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
OL Jaylon Thomas - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 21)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 16)
RB Taiwan Jones - Activated, from Practice Squad (Standard Elevation) (September 9)
K Graham Gano - Signed 3-year contract extension (September 8)
WR Cam Sims - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (September 4)
WR Cole Beasley - Practice Squad; Injured (September 4)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injury Settlement
DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, T Jaylon Thomas - Practice Squad Signing (August 31)
RB Taiwan Jones - Practice Squad Veteran Signing (August 31)
TE Tyree Jackson, G Jalen Mayfield - Practice Squad Exception Signing (August 31)
DB Gemon Green, T Tyre Phillips - Terminated (by Club) from Practice Squad (August 31)
CB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injury Settlement
DT Ryder Anderson, ILB Darrian Beavers, DB Alex Cook, QB Tommy DeVito, CB Gemon Green, ILB Dyontae Johnson, TE Ryan Jones - Practice Squad (August 30)
WR Cole Beasley, CB Amani Oruwariye, T Tyre Phillips, OLB Oshane Ximines - Practice Squad Veteran (August 30)
OLB Tomon Fox - Practice Squad Exception (August 30)
DE Boogie Basham - Acquired via Trade (via BUF) with 2025 7th Round Pick for 2025 6th Round Pick (August 30)
DT Ryder Anderson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DE Habakkuk Baldonado - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Darrian Beavers - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Alex Cook - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
QB Tommy DeVito - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Tomon Fox - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DB Gemon Green - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
TE Ryan Jones - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LS Cameron Lyons - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
T Tyre Phillips - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
DT Kobe Smith - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
LB Ray Wilborn - Waived, No Recall (August 29)
WR Cole Beasley - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR Jamison Crowder - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
C Sean Harlow - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
DB Amani Oruwariye - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
WR David Sills V - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
LB Oshane Ximines - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Reserve/Non-Football Illness (August 29)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Passed Physical (August 29)
CB Aaron Robinson - Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (August 29)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Injured (August 28)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Jack Anderson - Waived, Injured (August 28)
G Wyatt Davis - Waived, Injured (August 28)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Reserve/Injured (August 27)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Korey Cunningham - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
OT Julién Davenport - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Brandin Bryant - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DE Tashawn Bower - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (August 27)
DT Kevin Atkins - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
WR Collin Johnson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
DB Darren Evans - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
NT Donovan Jeter - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
RB James Robinson - Waived, No Recall (August 27)
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons - Acquired via Trade (via ARZ) for 2024 7th Round Pick (August 25)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived, Injury Settlement (August 24)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injury Settlement
CB Rodarius Williams - Waived, No Recall (August 19)
OT Julién Davenport - Free Agent Signing (August 16)
LB Troy Brown - Waived, Injured (August 16)
LB Ray Wilborn - Claimed off Waivers from DEN (August 15)
OT Devery Hamilton - Waived/Injured (August 15)
DL D.J. Davidson - Passed Physical (August 14)
WR Jeff Smith - Terminated, Vested Veteran, Injury Settlement (August 11)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Passed Physical (August 7)
OL Marcus McKethan - Passed Physical (August 7)
NT Donovan Jeter - Free Agent Signing (August 4)
WR Jeff Smith - Waived/Injured (August 4)
C Sean Harlow - Free Agent Signing (August 1)
OL J.C. Hassenauer - Reserve/Injured (August 1)
WR Sterling Shepard - Passed Physical (July 30)
WR Jamison Crowder - Passed Physical (July 30)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Injured (July 29)
LB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injury Settlement (July 29)
DT Kevin Atkins - Free Agent Signing (July 27)
T Andrew Thomas - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (July 26)
DT D.J. Davidson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
G Marcus McKethan - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
CB Aaron Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Wan'Dale Robinson - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Sterling Shepard - Declared Physically Unable to Perform (July 25)
WR Jamison Crowder - Declared Non-Football Injury (July 25)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Did Not Report (July 25)
RB Saquon Barkley - Franchise Player Signing (July 25)
OLB Tashawn Bower - Free Agent Signing (July 25)
OLB Elerson Smith - Waived, Injured (July 25)
DB Trenton Thompson - Waived, No Recall (July 25)
DT Brandin Bryant - Free Agent Signing (July 24)
WR Makai Polk - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
WR Dre Miller - Waived, No Recall (July 24)
RB James Robinson - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
WR Cole Beasley - Free Agent Signing (July 21)
DB Darren Evans - Free Agent Signing (July 18)
LB Jarrad Davis - Reserve/Injured (July 18)
DB Leonard Johnson - Waived/Injured (July 18)
DL Kobe Smith - Free Agent Signing (June 15)
DL Dexter Lawrence - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (May 5)
OLB Oshane Ximines - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
OLB Habakkuk Baldonado - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Troy Brown - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Alex Cook - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
QB Tommy DeVito - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
DB Gemon Green - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LB Dyontae Johnson - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
TE Ryan Jones - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
LS Cameron Lyons - Free Agent Signing (May 5)
CB Deonte Banks - Selected in Round 1 (Pick No. 24) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Deonte Banks - Selection List Signing (May 18)
OL John Michael Schmitz - Selected in Round 2 (Pick No. 57) of 2023 NFL Draft
C John Michael Schmitz - Selection List Signing (May 23)
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selected in Round 3 (Pick No. 73) of 2023 NFL Draft
WR Jalin Hyatt - Selection List Signing (May 15)
RB Eric Gray - Selection List Signing (May 5)
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selected in Round 6 (Pick No. 209) of 2023 NFL Draft
CB Tre Hawkins III - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DL Jordon Riley - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 243) of 2023 NFL Draft
RB Eric Gray - Selected in Round 5 (Pick No. 172) of 2023 NFL Draft
DL Jordan Riley - Selection List Signing (May 6)
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selected in Round 7 (Pick No. 254) of 2023 NFL Draft
DB Gervarrius Owens - Selection List Signing (May 5)
DT A'Shawn Robinson - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (April 24)
C J.C. Hassenauer - Free Agent Signing (April 7)
OLB Jihad Ward - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 29)
TE Tommy Sweeney - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
CB Amani Oruwariye - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Jamison Crowder - Unrestricted Free Agent Signing (March 23)
S Bobby McCain - Free Agent Signing (March 23)
WR Darius Slayton - Free Agent Signing (March 20)
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Parris Campbell - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
WR Jeff Smith - Free Agent Signing (March 17)
LB Bobby Okereke - Free Agent Signing (March 16)
WR Sterling Shepard - Free Agent Signing (March 15)
TE Darren Waller - Acquired via trade with Las Vegas Raiders (March 15)
RB Matt Breida - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 14)
P Jamie Gillan - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
LS Casey Kreiter - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
G Wyatt Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 13)
QB Daniel Jones - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
RB Saquon Barkley - Designated Franchise Player (March 7)
LB Jarrad Davis - Signed, Renegotiated Contract (March 7)
WR Isaiah Hodgins - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 16)
G Jack Anderson - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 14)
TE Lawrence Cager - Signed, Exclusive Rights (February 13)
WR David Sills V - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
DB Terrell Burgess - Reserve/Future Signing (January 26)
TE Chris Myarick - Reserve/Future Signing (January 23)
T Devery Hamilton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Dre Miller - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Zyon Gilbert - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DT Vernon Butler - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Makai Polk - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
T Korey Cunningham - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Jaydon Mickens - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
WR Kalil Pimpleton - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
RB Jashaun Corbin - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Trenton Thompson - Reserve/Future Signing (January 22)
DB Terrell Burgess - Waived/Injured (May 5)
G Solomon Kindley - Waived
WR Kenny Golladay - Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (March 15)
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