In hindsight, the Giants signed an elite player at a bargain price

When the New York Giants signed superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to a four-year, $87.5 million contract, it was widely considered a fair deal. At an average of $21.875 million per season, the deal seemed reasonable at the time, but now it looks like one of the best contracts in the NFL.

A team-friendly contract

In 2023, Lawrence will only have a salary hit of $14.57 million, which will increase to $24.1 million in 2025, $27.1 million in 2026, and in 2027, when he turns 30 years old will increase to $26.6 million. To put this in perspective, Lawrence's salary per season is about $6 million less than edge rusher Brian Burns, even though Lawrence has outperformed many of his peers in several key areas.

This isn't to downplay Burns' impact – he was outstanding and a crucial part of the Giants' edge rush. But Lawrence's dominance on defense has put him in a class of his own.

The Giants are getting elite production

So far this season, Lawrence has racked up 23 pressures, seven sacks and seven tackles. He's on pace for 78 pressures and nearly 24 sacks, a level of production that would make him the best defensive player in the league.

The $60 million in guaranteed money the Giants gave Lawrence now seems like a bargain. Not only does he perform less than many of the league's best pass rushers, but he also puts up better numbers than most of them. Notably, Lawrence currently ranks second in the NFL in sacks. When you consider that he lines up above opposing centers and doesn't run off the edge where it's easier to get to the quarterback, his performance is even more impressive.

Form double teams and create opportunities

Lawrence's dominance becomes even more evident when you consider that he draws double teams on 65.3% of his snaps, the third-highest rate among defensive linemen with at least 50 run-defense snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Lawrence is the third-best defensive lineman in total pressure, but his impact goes beyond pass rushing – his run defense is equally elite.

“I take it and honestly tell them to double-back me,” Lawrence said with a laugh. “It’s my world and I just go through it and every week I get better at it.”

Much like teams tried to contain Aaron Donald in his prime, opposing offenses are struggling to neutralize Lawrence and their efforts are proving futile. His ability to command so much attention opens up opportunities for his teammates, which explains why players like Brian Burns have been so effective this season. Even Kayvon Thibodeaux found a rhythm before his recent wrist surgery that will sideline him for four to six weeks.

Hall of Fame potential

Although he has already established himself as one of the NFL's best defensive players, Lawrence believes he still has untapped potential. His mindset shows that he is eager to improve and capitalize on missed opportunities, which should be a scary thought for opposing offenses.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten to where I can be,” Lawrence said. “I left a few pieces out there on Sunday that I want back. Every week I just have to prove I’m right and get it.”

Looking ahead

As Lawrence continues to improve his game, he is well on his way to a Hall of Fame-caliber career. His blend of size, strength and football intelligence makes him a unique and irreplaceable force in the Giants' defense. If he continues on his current path, his contract could go down as one of the best deals not only for the Giants, but in the entire NFL.