NFL Coaches Stunned by Giants’ Dexter Lawrence Deal

The New York Giants’ decision to select defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has drawn widespread surprise among league coaches, who question the value of the selection given concerns about his age, injury history and conditioning at the time of the pick.

According to multiple NFL coaches speaking anonymously to a reporter, the reaction across the league was one of disbelief that the Giants would invest a top-10 selection in a player whose readiness for immediate impact was uncertain. “Talking to several coaches around the NFL right now … They are STUNNED the Giants got what they did for Dexter Lawrence,” the source stated, emphasizing the near-unanimous sentiment among evaluators.

Lawrence, a 6-foot-4, 342-pound defensive lineman from Clemson, had been a dominant force in college, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018 and helping lead the Tigers to a national championship that season. However, concerns emerged during the pre-draft process regarding his age — he would turn 22 during his rookie season, which is older than typical for a first-round defensive lineman — and questions about his conditioning and durability, particularly given his significant frame and the physical toll of playing extensive snaps in Clemson’s high-tempo defense.

Injury history also factored into the skepticism. Lawrence missed time in 2017 with a foot injury and had dealt with minor ailments throughout his college career, leading some evaluators to wonder whether his frame could withstand the rigors of an NFL season without breaking down. While his talent was never in doubt — he possessed rare combination of size, strength, and quickness for a player of his stature — many coaches believed his projection was more suited to a second- or third-round pick based on risk factors.

Despite the reservations, the Giants moved swiftly to secure Lawrence, viewing him as a foundational piece for their defensive front under new head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman. New York had finished the 2018 season with a 3-13 record and ranked last in the league in total defense, making a transformative addition to the defensive line a priority.

Lawrence’s rookie season validated the Giants’ faith in him to an extent. He appeared in all 16 games with 15 starts, recording 4.5 sacks, 39 tackles, and two forced fumbles, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. His ability to occupy multiple blockers and disrupt interior runs showed immediate value, though his pass-rush production remained a work in progress.

Over the subsequent seasons, Lawrence developed into one of the NFL’s most reliable interior defenders. By 2022, he had earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named a second-team All-Pro after posting 7.5 sacks, 50 tackles, and a league-leading three defensive touchdowns for a defensive lineman. His durability improved significantly, as he started all 17 games in both 2021 and 2022, silencing early concerns about his ability to stay on the field.

As of the 2025 season, Lawrence remains a cornerstone of the Giants’ defense, having signed a five-year contract extension in 2023 that keeps him under contract through 2028. His evolution from a polarizing top-10 pick to a perennial Pro Bowl performer has become one of the more notable draft vindications in recent memory, though the initial skepticism among coaches underscores how pre-draft evaluations can diverge from long-term outcomes.