The New York Giants need to get Dexter Lawrence II some help along the defensive line, even if it’s just depth, something Super Bowl-winning free agent Lawrence Guy could provide.
Guy is somebody “who could be added for depth after the draft,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan also named former Giants defensive tackle Nick Williams as a potential fit.
There’s an obvious need for some established talent up front after A’Shawn Robinson joined the Carolina Panthers in 2024 NFL free agency. It’s left “the Giants with Lawrence and not much else,” per Duggan, who believes “they really need a young defensive tackle like Riley or DJ Davison to make a leap.”
Handing Lawrence a team-friendly deal, now free agency has cooled off, would add a proven and versatile lineman perfect for the Giants’ version of the 3-4 defense. Particularly for the scheme planned by new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Lawrence Guy Perfect for Shane Bowen’s Defense
Bowen succeeding Don ‘Wink’ Martindale as play-caller means the Giants are set to run a New England Patriots-like, opponent-specific defense. That’s handy because Guy spent the last seven seasons in New England, including helping the Patriots win the 2019 Super Bowl
Guy consistently proved his worth as a lineman able to play end or tackle, but highly adept against the run from both spots. The Giants need a sturdy run-stuffer in the trenches after allowing 4.7 yards per carry last season, the second-most in the league.
That number was actually an improvement from the 5.2 yards per rush the Giants surrendered in 2022. Most of the improvement was due to Robinson.
Now he’s gone, Guy could fill the void as somebody who helped the Patriots give up a league-low 3.3 yards per attempt. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder does a lot of his best work over guards, like when he overpowered Alex Cappa against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, a play highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids.
