NFL news: 5 bold predictions for New York Giants in 2021

5 bold predictions for New York Giants in 2021

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 03, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 23-19. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Giants bold predictions, Dexter Lawrence

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dexter Lawrence #97 and Ryan Connelly #57 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium on September 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 24-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Dexter Lawrence will get 10+ sacks

The projections aren’t all doom and gloom for the Giants’ pass rush in 2021. Williams is going to see his production take a big dip, but Lawrence will pick up the slack from his starting defensive end position.

Lawrence only brought the quarterback down four times last season but there’s significant reason for optimism. His PFF grade of 79.7 shows that he played better than his raw numbers might suggest. The former Clemson standout is a massive defensive end who has the ability to collapse the pocket with his sheer power.

The retention of Williams will give Lawrence a golden opportunity to build on his 2020 production. Any offensive line that tries to stop him with a single blocking scheme is going to get burned. Lawrence can’t sprint to the passer with great speed, but he can blow things up with his strength.

The end result will see Lawrence take his rightful place as New York’s premier sack artist. Getting to 10+ sacks won’t be easy for the 23-year-old, but the timing is right for him to take a big step forward in his NFL career.

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