Dexter Lawrence – DL
A player who’ll be no stranger to Carolina Panthers fans after a standout college career at Clemson, Dexter Lawrence is gradually proving why he was selected No. 17 overall by the New York Giants and will fancy his chances of a productive afternoon in Week 7.
The defensive lineman has seven career sacks to date and can assist an untold amount against the run for good measure. Lawrence is a player the Panthers need to monitor closely and it remains to be seen whether their suspect offensive line can cope with him and Leonard Williams rushing from opposite sides.
New York deploys a 3-4 scheme more often than not. But judging by how much the Panthers have struggled with stunts and other confusing looks over the last two weeks, expect them to throw plenty of pressure Carolina’s way in pursuit of making Sam Darnold’s MetLife Stadium return extremely uncomfortable.
It has to be a collective effort against Lawrence and others.
Otherwise, things could unravel quickly.
Lawrence – or anybody else coming up against Carolina’s protection of late – will see this as a tremendous chance to make a substantial difference on proceedings. If he’s allowed to generate early momentum, it might be a long afternoon for the line.