How Daron Payne's deal could impact Dexter Lawrence negotiations

The Giants have been eyeing an extension for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for a while now and following a breakout season, the team has made it a priority. New York started preliminary conversations with Lawrence about two weeks ago, with Jonathan Jones of 'The NFL on CBS' claiming he wouldn’t be surprised to see a new deal done “sooner than later.”

Despite the ever-growing markets for every position, the league’s market for defensive tackles has yet to touch the contract of generational talent Aaron Donald, who draws an AAV of $31.67M. For reference's sake, runner-up to Donald is Washignton's Daron Payne, who just signed for an AAV of $22.5 on a four-year contract. 

Just how the Giants guage a potential contract for Lawrence against Payne’s deal remains to be seen. Payne established himself as a premier pass-rushing defensive tackle in the league this past season while struggling in run defense. Lawrence, on the flip, lacked the pass rush production that Payne put forth but served as a crusher against the run while at least holding his own in pass-rush situations.

While it would make perfect sense for the Giants to reward their big man with a contract that surpasses that of Payne, Donald remains the position's diamond and it would be something of a stunner if New York bumped Lawrence to a higher AAV than the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle.

Lawrence graded out as the second-best defensive tackle in the NFL this past season by Pro Football Focus metrics.