The ESPN staff is making some predictions with the regular season just around the bend, ranking the top 100 players of 2024 based on expected production.
Here’s how the ESPN staff explains the process:
To create our list, we asked a panel of dozens of ESPN NFL experts to rate players based on performance expectations for the 2024 season compared with their peers. Emphasis was placed solely on the upcoming season and predicting potential greatness rather than on past performance or positional value. From those ratings, we ranked the best players in the league.
In total, three members of the New York Giants made the cut beginning with left tackle Andrew Thomas.
76. Andrew Thomas
OT | Giants
Age: 25
2023 rank: 56Thomas might have been even higher on this list if he hadn’t been limited to 10 games last season because of a hamstring injury. When Thomas is on the field, he’s proved to be an elite left tackle. His 92.4% pass block win rate over the past two seasons ranks seventh among all tackles. Just look at the impact he has on the Giants’ offense. New York averaged 12.1 points per game over the first eight games when he wasn’t healthy. It averaged 18.1 points per game after he returned from the injury. He might be the most important player on the Giants’ entire roster. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Thomas has the seventh-best PBWR among tackles since 2022, sustaining his blocks for 2.5 seconds 92.4% of the time (ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen Stats).
Dropping 20 spots is a rough fall for Thomas, who underperformed last season as the result of the aforementioned hamstring injury. He has looked dominant this summer and assuming a full return to health, should re-establish himself as one of the best left tackles in the NFL this season.
Next up for the Giants is a bit of a surprise.
54. Dexter Lawrence
DT | Giants
Age: 26
2023 rank: 48Lawrence’s numbers as a nose tackle are unmatched. He racked up 24 quarterback pressures last season lined up across the center, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. No one else had more than eight. Look no further than what Aaron Rodgers said after facing him two years ago to see the respect he now commands around the league. “No. 97 is a premier player. And needs to probably get more recognition for the ability that he has,” Rodgers said. He’s starting to get noticed. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Lawrence is one of four players since individual sacks were tracked in 1982 to record at least 20 sacks and 250 tackles in their first five seasons with the Giants; he joins Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Banks and Leonard Marshall.
2024 projection: 56 tackles, 5 sacks
Lawrence in this spot is surprising because ESPN suggests there will be 53 players better than Lawrence in 2024. They also have him falling six spots despite assuming the role of the NFL’s most dominant interior defender. This feels like disrespect.
Last up for the Giants and their highest-ranked player is a brand new addition.
32. Brian Burns
Edge | Giants
Age: 26
2023 rank: 54Burns has had at least eight sacks in each of the past four seasons and his pass rush win rate of 20.4% is the 14th best among all players during that span. The Giants showed what they thought of Burns’ game in Carolina when they traded for him this offseason and then handed him a $141 million deal. So far, Burns has impressed. Cornerback Nick McCloud said he was in “awe” of the explosion Burns possesses at his size (250 pounds). The Giants even think Burns can take his game to the next level playing with Dexter Lawrence II in the middle and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the other side. — Jordan Raanan
Signature stat: Burns’ 46.0 sacks is the second most by a Panthers player in franchise history through the first five seasons of their career, trailing only Julius Peppers (53.5, 2002-06).
2024 projection: 60 tackles, 9 sacks
With Kayvon Thibodeaux playing alongside him, we’re taking the over on Burns’ projected 9.0 sacks. He’s been impressive every time he’s stepped on the field and should benefit from a lot of one-on-one matchups because offensive coordinators now have to pick their poison.
Like Thomas and Lawrence, expect Burns to be higher on this list next year.
