New York Giants: Grading the defense and special teams – Spring 2019

Defensive Line

Dalvin Tomlinson is the guy that makes me love the center of this defense, he did a good job of weathering the storm when the New York Giants traded away Snacks Harrison to Detroit midseason. Tomlinson showed great progress as the season went on and visibly became more comfortable with the speed of the game.

2019 first round pick Dexter Lawrence will bring another strong run-stuffing presence on the front line but will have to put in plenty of work to develop as a pass rusher. He showed the raw materials to be successful at the NFL level while at Clemson. I would love this pick more if the Giants had drafted a Nick Bosa or Josh Allen type to collapse one edge and force ball carriers to Lawrence’s side.

B.J Hill will most likely be on the other side of the three-man front to give the Giants close to a ton on their front line. Hill has progressed every year since entering the league and will have a chance at a full-time gig to start this year.

They’ve brought in several other monster size linemen such as Chris Slayton, Freedom Akinmoladun through the draft and undrafted free agency; and returns John Jenkins and R.J McIntosh if nothing else they’ll definitely have some size and on the defensive line.

The G-Men did a great job creating depth on the defensive line and will most likely use a full rotation of players to keep everyone healthy and fresh going into games. They will have to lean on them heavily at the beginning of the year in hopes of stuffing the run.

Position Grade: C+