Dexter Lawrence Trade: What Would Convince the Giants to Let Him Go?

The New York Giants have multiple defensive linemen who are generating trade interest ahead of the NFL draft, and while some executives believe one could be dealt, multiple general managers told me they would be shocked if New York traded both.

Edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has failed to develop into the game-wrecking force the Giants had hoped for when investing a top 10 pick on him, and he has been the subject of trade conversations for years spanning multiple regimes there. 

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, however, has been an unquestioned devastating force in the interior of the line for years and a premier pass rusher despite getting double-teamed; dealing him would be a very different proposition.

While it’s been known leaguewide for quite some time that Thibodeaux has been open to a change of scenery, Lawrence went public with his trade demand last week. 

Lawrence’s issue is with his contract, which has fallen off pace with how top defensive tackles are compensated. Still, the Giants have significant leverage here and with new head coach John Harbaugh, who had to deal with several thorny contract situations during his lengthy run in Baltimore, just getting started, execs I spoke to believe the Giants will try to build a bridge with Lawrence.

Can The Giants Fetch A Top Pick For Lawrence?

“I don’t think (general manager) Joe Schoen will trade him,” one general manager told SportsBoom.us. 

When asked what about Harbaugh, since the coach has more power in that organization than anyone else in football operations now, he said: “I don’t think Harbaugh wants to trade him, either. Look what happened to his defense last year when (top defensive tackle Nnamdi) Madubuike went down … He wants to build a bully up front. Trading Lawrence for a couple of day two picks?”

Another general manager said: “I don’t think they can get a one (first-round pick) for him. Not when he’s pushing 30 and not when you are going to have to pay him, too.”

Of course, it only takes one team to change all of that.

As for Thibodeaux, if the Giants were to take Ohio State versatile linebacker Sonny Styles, who can move around and rush from the edge, with the fifth-overall pick, it would add to a front seven that already includes highly-drafted pass rushers. 

It’s very likely conversations about trading Thibodeaux would intensify with teams willing to move perhaps a mid-round pick for him; the defensive tackle market in this draft is thin but the value starts making more sense in the mid-rounds for players with upside, and it could happen that the Giants find an eventual successor to Lawrence (in position if not production) with that pick.