The New York Giants are in the midst of an organizational reset.
New head coach John Harbaugh has imported some significant talent via free agency alone, including signing former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and first-round cornerback Greg Newsome, but one of the Giants’ best players could be the franchise’s most valuable trade chip ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Could the Giants trade Dexter Lawrence during the NFL Draft?
New York Giants Dexter Lawrence
Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Over at Pro Football Focus, NFL analyst Jon Kosko put together a list of each team’s most tradeable asset ahead of draft weekend getting underway, including Dexter Lawrence for the Giants.
“The Giants are firmly in rebuild mode,” Koso points out for PFF. “And their lone elite interior force stands out as a potential trade candidate. Lawrence earned a 78.4 PFF overall grade in 2025, including an 84.5 PFF pass-rush grade, continuing to impact games as both a run defender and interior disruptor.
“While his run-defense performance dipped slightly from previous seasons, he has consistently been one of the league’s most dominant run defenders since entering the NFL. His strength and ability to collapse the pocket elevate any front seven, and his positional value makes him a rare asset. Trading Lawrence could bring back a strong return and provide the Giants with the capital needed to rebuild both lines.”
While the idea of trading a cornerstone like Lawrence may seem like a shortcut to stockpiling draft capital, Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen have repeatedly signaled that the Pro Bowl disruptor is “untouchable” in their vision for a physical defensive front.
If the Giants opt to keep Lawrence as the “middle stone” of Dennard Wilson’s new scheme, the focus on draft night will likely shift from finding a replacement to identifying the elite perimeter weapon or secondary help needed to accelerate this “reimagined” era in East Rutherford.
NFL Draft
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images