After his sack total doubled from 2.5 as a rookie in 2023 to 5.0 last year, Dexter is determined to keep ascending in his third NFL season.
"I've seen myself grow," Dexter said. "I just want to take that next step and some of the things I've gotten better with in practice, I want to see it in the game."
Dexter expects to benefit playing in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's aggressive, attacking scheme for the first time.
"I think I'll be able to be a more dominant player and that my presence in the game will be felt a little more," Dexter said. "And I think I'll be a lot better on first and second down, those running downs. I think my game will take another step, and then getting after the quarterback, I think it'll be better as well."
First-year defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett views Dexter as versatile and dedicated to becoming the best player he can be.
"He can play nose, he can play tackle," Garrett said. "Real excited about him. He watches a ton of film. He wants to be great. He works extremely hard at his craft. When he's away from the building, he'll text me.
"I'm excited about the work he's done in the offseason, the work he did when we were here in Phase I and II in the offseason when he was in the building, and then when he went away, he was still working. When he came back, I think he's better than he was when he left after the offseason in the spring."