Dexter Lawrence II
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The New York Giants are a fit to replace Dexter Lawrence II with a "rock solid" nose tackle from the 2026 NFL draft class.
A trade request from the most physically dominant member of their front seven doesn’t need to be a disaster for the New York Giants, not when they can find a “rock solid” replacement for All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.
The prospect in question is former Georgia stud Christen Miller. He’s a true nose guard, but there is a core difference between how Miller operates and how Lawrence approaches his role playing over the ball.
It’s a difference in style summed up by Dane Brugler of The Athletic. He explained “Miller can be up and down with his anchor and rush consistency, but he is rock solid as a run defender who should excel on early downs. His role will shift depending on scheme, though he projects best as a one-gapping nose in a four-man front.”
Brugler’s colleague Charlotte Carroll pointed out how “‘Rock solid as a run defender’ is good to hear. While the Giants have one of the better nose tackles in the league in Lawrence, Miller played multiple positions in college, so he’s versatile even though his best position might be as a one-gapping nose tackle.”
Fortifying their run defense was a priority for the Giants even before Lawrence asked to be traded. While the 28-year-old is the most disruptive pass-rusher at his position in the league, Lawrence hasn’t been able to anchor well against the run.
Fortunately, Miller isn’t the only sturdy interior D-lineman who could fall to the Giants in this draft.
Christen Miller a Credible Alternative to Dexter Lawrence
Miller can’t do the things Lawrence does, but the ex-Bulldogs standout can be a magnet for double teams so others get to play downhill and attack the run. That’s the work of a traditional nose tackle, but Lawrence has rarely been one of those.
Instead, the three-time Pro Bowler makes his presence felt as a pocket-collapsing pressure specialist. Lawrence’s expertise in this area is underlined by these numbers from Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis: “Dexter Lawrence 2025 only: OFF field: #32 YPA (8.4) #31 sack rate (4.1%) #27 EPA/pass (+0.13) #26 pass success (47%) #23 pressure rate (32%) ON field: #7 pass success (40%) #8 YPA (6.6) #9 sack rate (7.7%) #10 EPA/pass (+0.09) #22 pressure rate (33%).”
Dexter Lawrence 2025 only:
OFF field:
#32 YPA (8.4)#31 sack rate (4.1%)#27 EPA/pass (+0.13)#26 pass success (47%)#23 pressure rate (32%)
ON field:
#7 pass success (40%)#8 YPA (6.6)#9 sack rate (7.7%)#10 EPA/pass (+0.09)#22 pressure rate (33%)https://t.co/Xbo2p6JtJe
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 6, 2026
The numbers add up to a clear reality. Namely, how the Giants generate a credible pass rush when Lawrence is in the lineup, but hardly unsettle quarterbacks enough without him.
Miller wouldn’t change that dichotomy, but the 6-foot-3, 328-pounder would firm up a soft rush defense that allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry in 2025. Getting tougher against the run should be a focus for new head coach John Harbaugh and his appointed defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
That won’t happen unless the Giants add a different kind of nose tackle. Either to replace Lawrence if the right trade offer comes along, or to better support big No. 97.
Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen would cover all possible outcomes by using a prime prick to take any of the top defensive tackles from a loaded position group.
Defensive Tackles a Sneaky Big Draft Need for Giants
Carroll has Miller possibly being available to the Giants with the 37th-overall pick at the top of the second round. She also named Ohio State linchpin Kayden McDonald, another natural run-stuffer in the middle, as a potential second-rounder, underlining the options at the position.
Those options also include a Clemson star able to hold the point of attack and push the pile. Having this many viable candidates to fix an obvious team weakness means the Giants shouldn’t exit this draft without having improved talent on the inside of their defensive line.
The need to do just that only increased after a veteran Super Bowl-winning nose tackle returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other D-tackles still on the roster, like Darius Alexander and Roy Robertson-Harris, are more active as interior pass-rushers than able to clog running lanes.
There are already ample reasons for the Giants to invest premium draft capital in a defensive tackle, even if Lawrence sticks around. Without him, making Miller a top-40 pick would become a necessity.