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Wide receiver Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants runs for a second touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s no secret that the New York Giants could use some help in the support department, especially on the outside. While Leonard Williams and Marcus Golden have each reached double-digit sacks two years in a row, only the latter has recorded more than 10 sacks in a single season since 2014. He also resides in Phoneix after being shipped out last season in exchange for the Cardinals. As for Williams, his ultra-productive 2020 campaign could well be a prize in New York’s future plans this offseason.
Whether Williams leaves or not, the team will likely be looking to strengthen the top seven in March. Could a player like the Cincinnati Bengals’ future free agent, Carl Lawson, be the answer to Big Blue’s limitations? His teammate at Auburn, Darius Slayton, clearly believes that.
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Darius Slayton suggests Carl Lawson will sign with theGiants.
NFL’s Brian Baldinger drew attention to the slightly underperforming free agent on Twitter Saturday, citing Lawson’s excellent play, including his ability to constantly break his pocket. Baldy added a clip of former fourth baseman Jason Peters pitching nine times at Pro Bowler Jason Peters as a reference, adding that Lawson seems like a great hire for a team that wants to fight.
Lawson has heaped praise on the analyst and believes the film will speak for itself in the spring.
The movie was seen, Lawson tweeted back. It’s going to rumble.
As for Darius Slayton, Lawson’s former teammate, the Giants don’t believe his hype. In fact, Slayton thinks he already anticipated Lawson’s final destination at Free Agency by saying they would end up in East Rutherford.
Without scolding, take your talents to the prairie https://t.co/4nmJ0wPmNf
– Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) February 20, 2021
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One of the most effective unassisted passes in the league
Despite playing four years in Cincinnati, Lawson has collected 20 sacks and received an overall rating of 76.3 or better in two of his last three years at Pro Football Focus.
Last year, the Bengals decided to trade Carlos Dunlap to Seattle and Lawson took advantage of him, notching 11 career highs. The previous selection of First-Team All-SEC has proven more than capable of handling heavier and more frequent workloads. His 723 defensive tackles in 2020 are 246 more than his previous production in a single season. With the additional clichés came the high-end production. Lawson’s 27 quarterbacks led the entire NFL in 2020, while Steelers star T.J. Baker played a major role in his career. Watt was the only football player to get past his 32 quarterback hurdles this year.
Lawson can never be cheap on the free market. Lawson is only 25 years old and has age and increasing production on his side to guarantee a high salary. Teams will likely view the Bengals’ advantage as a long-term defensive cornerstone, which will only get bigger as the game progresses. The arrow clearly points to Lawson, who according to PFF signed a four-year contract worth $55 million this season, $30 million of which is guaranteed.
Since Olivier gave Vernon a lot of money in 2016, the Giants have been reluctant to invest in the defense. The team has consistently filled roles as secondary free agents and role players who have consistently failed at a serviceable level (anyone remember Kareem Martin?).
Whether he’s New York’s first passer or Leonard Williams’ Robin Batman, Lawson looks like an additional asset to the Giants’ defense.
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