For the sixth consecutive offseason, ESPN surveyed NFL executives, coaches and scouts to help rank the top 10 players at each position.
This year, there's a new No. 1 at defensive tackle: the Giants' own Dexter Lawrence.
"Lawrence's game reached a new stratosphere in 2024, when he expanded his arsenal and added a nine-sack season to an already stellar résumé," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "Dominating the run was always on the agenda for Lawrence. He has the balance, power, flexibility, footwork and acumen to post big sack numbers. In the past, the knock on Lawrence was that he missed too many near-sacks. No longer. Lawrence racked up quarterback takedowns while facing a 74.5% double-team rate, higher than any other interior lineman. The Giants saw him improve his ability to transition off blocks, be great on the move and finish takedowns."
The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder recorded a career-high nine sacks in his sixth season, despite missing the final five games with a dislocated elbow. Lawrence increased his career sack total to 30, climbing to 13th in franchise history and third among defensive tackles.
In the process, Lawrence became the Giants' first defensive lineman to make three consecutive Pro Bowls since Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. He is also the franchise's first interior defensive lineman to earn three Pro Bowl selections since Rosie Grier in 1953, 1956, and 1960.
"I thought he should have been [Defensive Player of the Year] with the season he had," an NFL personnel director said, according to ESPN. "He's a true zero-technique nose who can occupy doubles and neutralize the run game. I think he took his pass rush to a different level, and I think he would have had double-digit sacks if (Brian) Burns and (Kayvon) Thibodeaux stayed healthy. A true three-down game wrecker who needs attention every single snap."
ESPN's top 10 defensive tackles for 2025 as ranked by execs, coaches and scouts
Dexter Lawrence II, New York Giants
Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers