NFC East Defensive Tackle Rankings: Can Lawrence Carry Giants?

In 2024, New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was having a career year before a Thanksgiving elbow injury ended his season. His absence was a crucial blow to a unit that collapsed down the stretch, and it may have robbed the Giants’ best player of a Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Nevertheless, New York improved around him in the offseason, adding edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick and defensive tackle Darius Alexander in Round 3. Those additions will add to the defensive line’s pass rush synergy. Blocking Lawrence is hard enough, but determining how to spend resources on a unit with three players who deserve double teams can turn games upside down.

Lawrence is the Giants’ best player, and he headlines the team’s case to top our NFC East defensive tackle rankings.

1. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis

For all of Lawrence’s prowess, Philadelphia has two starting linemen that teams cannot ignore. Carter is a rising star and one of the best defensive tackles in the league. His proclivity for big-time plays under the brightest lights makes him a problem for opposing offenses.

Davis hasn’t quite risen to stardom, but his blend of size and athleticism causes structural issues. Given the Eagles’ ability to churn out young linemen, it’s more than possible that another contributor makes the unit even stronger.

2. New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence, Darius Alexander

Lawrence is a fully-fledged superstar and has made an excellent argument to be the best defensive tackle in the sport. However, New York’s weak link on the defensive line was at its second defensive tackle spot in 2024. Alexander should rectify that, but Day 2 picks often look a lot better before the realities of the NFL take shape. With a strong season, the Giants could easily top this ranking next season.

3. Dallas Cowboys: Osa Odighizua, Mazi Smith

Odighizuwa is among the most underrated players in the sport and was rewarded as such with a four-year, $80 million deal in March. His game is predicated around his athleticism and ability to puncture gaps, and having a co-star in edge rusher Micah Parsons makes Dallas dangerous.

Mazi Smith, meanwhile, is still a work in progress. He struggled mightily through each of his first two seasons. With just enough flashes to generate optimism, Smith’s growth could define the Cowboys’ defense in 2025.

4. Washington Commanders: Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw

On name value alone, Washington deserves to be ranked higher. But after last season’s struggles, it’s clear this is a bottom-two pairing in the division. Payne is coming off perhaps the worst season of his career, logging just 43 tackles and four sacks. He struggled against the run, demanding the Commanders get more physical up front in the offseason.

They did just that by signing Javon Kinlaw to a questionable three-year, $45 million deal. He too struggled mightily in 2024, begging the question of whether Washington upgraded at all despite its spending spree.