Dexter Lawrence
Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 28: Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants walks off the field after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in the game at Allegiant Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings spent big last offseason on two defensive tackles who are now with other teams, and the franchise could take a similar swing this spring by trading for New York Giants star Dexter Lawrence.
Lawrence asked out of New York earlier this week after two years of negotiations for a raise on top of his $87.5 million deal. He is reportedly looking for $30 million annually heading into his age-28 campaign, according to Connor Hughes of SNYtv.
The Vikings are logical suitors given how much the franchise prioritized strengthening its defense at the point of attack in 2025, and how meaningfully it missed on sizable deals for Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
But Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports made the argument on Tuesday, April 7 that flipping draft capital and spending big money for Lawrence would ultimately prove a mistake in Minnesota.
“As much as Dexter Lawrence would help this team, I think it would behoove the Vikings to say no and just go into the NFL draft and just draft a bunch of players and build the depth of this roster,” Forness said.
“Dexter Lawrence would have been a great trade in 2024 when you were really building toward a real Super Bowl run,” he continued. “Where the Vikings are at right now, where you have all these depth issues, I don’t think they’re in a position to make that kind of move. I don’t think it would be a smart decision.”
Dexter Lawrence Trade Could Make Sense for Vikings at Right Price
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
GettyNew York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Hughes noted Tuesday that the asking price for Lawrence is either a first-rounder in this year’s draft or in 2027, or a combination of a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick later this month.
Minnesota owns the 18th selection in Round 1, as well as No. 49 in Round 2 and No. 163 in Round 5. If Lawrence is gettable for a combination of picks 49 and 163, that makes considerably more sense than letting go of a mid-first-rounder.
All told, the Vikings own nine draft assets in 2026. Lawrence finished inside the top 10 in player ranking out of 134 defensive tackles who qualified in 2025, per Pro Football Focus. He was a Pro Bowler the three years prior and earned second-team All-Pro honors in two of those campaigns.
Minnesota probably can’t get a defensive tackle who could make the same type of impact in the next year or two with any of their picks, aside from maybe its first-rounder, but the majority of recent mock drafts have the Vikings looking at a safety like Dillon Thieneman of Oregon at No. 18.
Vikings’ Playoff Prospects Rely More on Kyler Murray Than Defensive Improvements
Kyler Murray
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray.
It is worth noting that dealing for Lawrence and immediately extending him would allow Minnesota to build a contract structure front-weighted with a signing bonus that limits Lawrence’s salary cap hit in 2026.
If the Vikings can bolster the secondary with Thieneman and beef up the defensive interior with Lawrence, there is an argument that Minnesota can get back into the mix for the NFC North Division and a playoff berth right away after a 9-8 campaign in 2025.
The likelihood of that is going to rest primarily on how well head coach Kevin O’Connell can marry his offensive scheme to new quarterback Kyler Murray.
But adding two impact pieces to the two weakest units of a defense that finished No. 3 overall last season, even despite its faults, would represent a big step toward contention in 2026.