NY Giants Dexter Lawrence Cracks PFF's Top 15 NFL Players – The League's Most Dominant DT

When it comes to absolute dominance at the line of scrimmage in the National Football League, Dexter Lawrence is quickly becoming synonymous with sheer power and disruptive play. The former Clemson star and New York Giants defensive tackle has not only been voted the No. 1 defensive tackle in the sport by his peers and NFL coaches, but he's also now been officially enshrined among the league's elite, landing at a commanding No. 14 overall on Pro Football Focus's prestigious PFF50 list of the top players in the NFL!

PFF's analytical deep dive unequivocally states that "Lawrence has emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players over the past three seasons." His 2024 campaign, though limited to 12 games due to injury, was a testament to his impact, where he still tallied a career-high nine sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.

The numbers supporting his elite status are staggering:

His 89.9 PFF grade in 2024 ranked third among all defensive tackles, trailing only Kansas City's Chris Jones and Pittsburgh's Cameron Heyward.

Since 2022, Lawrence leads all interior defenders with an astonishing 93.3 PFF grade, sitting second only to Chris Jones in PFF's Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metric.

What truly sets him apart is his unmatched versatility: he's the only defensive tackle in the NFL to achieve 90.0-plus grades in both pass rushing and run defense over that same dominant span.

While he hasn't yet eclipsed Chris Jones (ranked No. 6 overall) for the top defensive line spot on PFF's entire list, Lawrence's impact is undeniable. He stands tall amidst the game's very best, sharing rarefied air with the likes of Cleveland's Myles Garrett (PFF's No. 1 overall player) and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes (No. 2 overall).

Dexter Lawrence is not just a force; he's a foundational piece, consistently delivering at an All-Pro level. His elite standing in the PFF50 solidifies what his peers and coaches already know: this Clemson product is one of the most impactful, versatile, and utterly dominant defensive players in the National Football League.