When the New York Giants selected defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, they knew he would be special. They probably didn't realize just how special he would be, but six years later he's consistently at the top of the league in his position.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the highest-graded first-round picks at each slot over the last decade. Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took the top spot as the highest-graded first-overall draft pick in the last 10 years.
Lawrence took the 17th spot as the highest-graded player selected at 17 over the last decade.
DI Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants (2019): 91.8
Lawrence has lived in opposing backfields over the last three seasons. His 93.4 PFF grade since 2022 is the best among all defensive tackles and he’s the only interior defender with 90.0-plus grades as a pass rusher and as a run defender.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Lawrence was even selected to the Pro Bowl in 2024, a season he did not finish due to injury.
In 2024, Lawrence recorded 44 tackles (23 solo), nine sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games. Over his career, he has racked up 310 tackles (172 solo), 30 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 11 passes defensed.
Lawrence is a guy who's typically healthy despite missing the first games of his career in 2024 after he dislocated his elbow against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' Dexter Lawrence among best first-round picks of past decade
