The ESPN workers is making some predictions with the common season simply across the bend, rating the high 100 gamers of 2024 based mostly on anticipated manufacturing.
Right here’s how the ESPN workers explains the method:
To create our checklist, we requested a panel of dozens of ESPN NFL consultants to price gamers based mostly on efficiency expectations for the 2024 season in contrast with their friends. Emphasis was positioned solely on the upcoming season and predicting potential greatness moderately than on previous efficiency or positional worth. From these scores, we ranked the very best gamers within the league.
In whole, three members of the New York Giants made the reduce starting with left deal with Andrew Thomas.
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76. Andrew Thomas
OT | Giants
Age: 25
2023 rank: 56Thomas may need been even greater on this checklist if he hadn’t been restricted to 10 video games final season due to a hamstring harm. When Thomas is on the sphere, he’s proved to be an elite left deal with. His 92.4% go block win price over the previous two seasons ranks seventh amongst all tackles. Simply take a look at the influence he has on the Giants’ offense. New York averaged 12.1 factors per recreation over the primary eight video games when he wasn’t wholesome. It averaged 18.1 factors per recreation after he returned from the harm. He is likely to be an important participant on the Giants’ whole roster. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Thomas has the seventh-best PBWR amongst tackles since 2022, sustaining his blocks for two.5 seconds 92.4% of the time (ESPN Analytics/NFL Subsequent Gen Stats).
Dropping 20 spots is a tough fall for Thomas, who underperformed final season as the results of the aforementioned hamstring harm. He has seemed dominant this summer time and assuming a full return to well being, ought to re-establish himself as the most effective left tackles within the NFL this season.
Subsequent up for the Giants is a little bit of a shock.
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54. Dexter Lawrence
DT | Giants
Age: 26
2023 rank: 48Lawrence’s numbers as a nostril deal with are unmatched. He racked up 24 quarterback pressures final season lined up throughout the middle, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Nobody else had greater than eight. Look no additional than what Aaron Rodgers stated after going through him two years in the past to see the respect he now instructions across the league. “No. 97 is a premier participant. And must in all probability get extra recognition for the power that he has,” Rodgers stated. He’s beginning to get observed. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Lawrence is one in every of 4 gamers since particular person sacks have been tracked in 1982 to document not less than 20 sacks and 250 tackles of their first 5 seasons with the Giants; he joins Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Banks and Leonard Marshall.
2024 projection: 56 tackles, 5 sacks
Lawrence on this spot is shocking as a result of ESPN suggests there might be 53 gamers higher than Lawrence in 2024. In addition they have him falling six spots regardless of assuming the position of the NFL’s most dominant inside defender. This seems like disrespect.
Final up for the Giants and their highest-ranked participant is a model new addition.
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32. Brian Burns
Edge | Giants
Age: 26
2023 rank: 54Burns has had not less than eight sacks in every of the previous 4 seasons and his go rush win price of 20.4% is the 14th finest amongst all gamers throughout that span. The Giants confirmed what they considered Burns’ recreation in Carolina after they traded for him this offseason after which handed him a $141 million deal. Up to now, Burns has impressed. Cornerback Nick McCloud stated he was in “awe” of the explosion Burns possesses at his measurement (250 kilos). The Giants even assume Burns can take his recreation to the subsequent stage enjoying with Dexter Lawrence II within the center and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the opposite aspect. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Burns’ 46.0 sacks is the second most by a Panthers participant in franchise historical past by way of the primary 5 seasons of their profession, trailing solely Julius Peppers (53.5, 2002-06).
2024 projection: 60 tackles, 9 sacks
With Kayvon Thibodeaux enjoying alongside him, we’re taking the over on Burns’ projected 9.0 sacks. He’s been spectacular each time he’s stepped on the sphere and may profit from loads of one-on-one matchups as a result of offensive coordinators now have to select their poison.
Like Thomas and Lawrence, count on Burns to be greater on this checklist subsequent 12 months.
