Dexter Lawrence took a hit in ESPN’s latest defensive tackle rankings, but that kind of slide may not sit quietly in Bengals camp.
Jeremy Fowler surveyed NFL coaches, executives and scouts to stack up the league’s top defensive tackles, and Lawrence went from No. 1 entering the 2025 campaign to No. 7 on the new list. Fowler noted that the race from Nos. 3 through 7 was tight, but the drop still stands out for a player who has long been viewed as one of the most complete forces at the position.
The explanation attached to Lawrence’s ranking tells the story of why he slipped. Fowler wrote: "Lawrence fell six spots, but the drop in his play isn't that steep.
The voting between the third and seventh spots was close. That said, Lawrence's 0.5 sacks in 2025 were a career low, and he failed to make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2021.
But no defensive tackle gets more attention from offensive lines. Lawrence faced a double-team 71.3% of the time in 2025, a league high for players with at least 300 pass-rush opportunities."
Even with the dip in production, Lawrence still drew the kind of attention that keeps him near the top of the conversation. The piece points out that no defensive tackle draws more offensive-line focus, and that his workload against double teams remained extreme.
At the top of Fowler’s rankings was Leonard Williams, followed by Jeffery Simmons of the Titans, Jalen Carter of the Eagles, Chris Jones of the Chiefs, Derrick Brown of the Panthers and Quinnen Williams of the Cowboys.
The list also sparked some pushback. Simmons has been productive on struggling Tennessee teams, while Carter’s availability remains part of the conversation.
Jones, meanwhile, was described as bringing similar pass-rush impact to Lawrence, though not the same run defense. The article also made the case that Lawrence’s down year still stacks up well against the best seasons of several players ahead of him.
There was even room for Cameron Heyward, with the piece arguing that the Steelers veteran deserved a spot on the list.
For Cincinnati, the bigger point is simple: Lawrence is in a spot where a bounce-back would land hard. The article notes that his team-friendly contract reflects a desire to chase a Super Bowl in Cincinnati and to play alongside Joe Burrow. If he cleans up the numbers from 2025, the rest of the league could be in trouble.
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