In 2016, Lawrence played in 12 games for the Tigers at defensive tackle. Throughout the regular season, he recorded 55 tackles and five sacks. The five sacks he recorded in his freshman year is a Clemson record.[9] Lawrence beat the previous record of four set by William Perry, Ricky Sapp, and Shaq Lawson. Lawrence was subsequently named the 2016 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.[10] Lawrence was part of the Clemson team that defeated Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship by a score of 35–31. In the game, he recorded four total tackles.[11] Dexter was ruled ineligible for the 2019 College Football Playoff after testing positive for the banned substance ostarine.[12][13] After the season, Lawrence decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.[14]
In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lawrence recorded his first career sack on Jameis Winston in the 32-31 win.[20] In Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings, Lawrence recorded a sack and a forced fumble on Kirk Cousins in the 28-10 loss.[21] As a rookie, he started in all 16 games. He finished with 2.5 sacks, 38 total tackles (24 solo), one pass defended, and one forced fumble as the Giants went 4–12.[22] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[23]
In the 2020 season, Lawrence appeared in 16 games and started 15. He finished with four sacks, 53 total tackles (30 solo), and two passes defended as the Giants went 6–10.[24][25]
During Week 2 of the 2021 season against the Washington Football Team, Lawrence jumped offsides on the final play of the 4th quarter, a Dustin Hopkins missed field goal, which nullified the Washington kick attempt. The Giants would lose 29–30 on Hopkins' successful re-kick, dropping to 0–2 for the fifth consecutive season.[26] In the 2021 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 11. He finished with 2.5 sacks, 54 total tackles (27 solo), two passes defended, and one forced fumble.[27]
On April 28, 2022, the Giants picked up the fifth-year option on Lawrence’s rookie contract.[28]
The 2022 season marked a career year for Lawrence. In Week 4, he tallied 2 sacks against the Chicago Bears, the first multi-sack game of his career, then earned praise from Aaron Rodgers following their comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers a week later.[29] In a Week 15 tilt against the Washington Commanders, he forced an incomplete pass from Taylor Heinicke that turned out to be a key forced fumble which the Giants recovered.[30] The Giants made the playoffs in 2022 for the first time in his career. He finished the 2022 season with 7.5 sacks, 68 tackles, 28 quarterback hits and 2 forced fumbles.[31] As well as being selected to his first Pro Bowl and first All-Pro team.[32][33] He was ranked 28th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[34]
On May 4, 2023, Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Giants.[35]
In Week 8 of the 2023 New York Giants season, Lawrence recorded a sack, a tackle-for-loss, 5 quarterback hits, and 15 quarterback pressures against the New York Jets, which tied the record for the most pressures in a single game by an interior defender.[36] He finished the 2023 season with 4.5 sacks, 53 total tackles (32 solo), and two passes defended.[37] He earned Pro Bowl honors and second team All-Pro honors for the 2023 season.[38][39] He was ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[40]
In Week 5 of the 2024 season against the Seattle Seahawks, Lawrence recorded a single-game career high 3 sacks on Geno Smith.[41]
