The New York Giants are looking for a quick turnaround under new head coach John Harbaugh in 2026, but those efforts could be much more difficult without three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The former first-round pick recently requested a trade from the team.
The Giants obviously don't have to adhere to that request, but Harbaugh recently stated that "everyone is tradeable". If he is not traded, the Giants will need to appease their star player with a new contract at some point.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Giants star DL Dexter Lawrence, the face of the team's defense for years, asked for a trade earlier today. Best-case scenario is that Lawrence and NYG find a contract that makes everyone happy (after less-accomplished DTs passed him money-wise). pic.twitter.com/aqOyNYroZK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2026
Trades are always possible in the NFL, no matter what head coaches and general managers tell the media. If an offer that is too good to pass up comes along, a deal can get done. The Giants should be looking for a massive return if they do decide to move Lawrence, and there are two teams in the AFC who could help them out at a position of need and help get a deal done.
Potential trade packages for Dexter Lawrence
Several potential destinations have been discussed for Lawrence since news of his trade request came out. He is the kind of player every team would improve by getting. However, the Giants should be looking for the most bang for their buck if they do indeed move him.
Wide receiver is a big question mark for the team going into 2026, but if Malik Nabers comes back to 100 percent following a torn ACL, the team could give Jaxson Dart a ton of help by adding another strong option at that position. For that reason, these two trades could make some sense for Lawrence.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars receive: DT Dexter Lawrence
Giants receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr., 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 88), 2027 1st-round pick
The Jaguars figure to be a contending team in 2026 after a breakout year last season under new head coach Liam Coen. Adding a piece such as Lawrence could be the move to help put them over the top.
Brian Thomas Jr.'s name has come up in trade talks for months and the Giants could bring him aboard to play with his college teammate at LSU, Nabers. To help sell the deal, the Jaguars send over a third-round pick this year and a first-round choice next year. The Jaguars don't own a first-round choice in this year's draft, stemming from the move up last year in order to select Travis Hunter.
Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals receive: DT Dexter Lawrence
Giants receive: WR Tee Higgins, 2026 second-round pick (No. 41)
Bengals fans may see this as a bit of an overpay, but this is the value of a dominant defensive tackle. The Bengals used the francise tag on Tee Higgins in 2024 and 2025 in order to keep him in Cincinnati before signing him to a massive contract extension last season.
That said, Cincinnati's approach of building the team around Joe Burrow and two star receivers just hasn't worked and they have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons after going to the Super Bowl in 2021 and then getting to the AFC Championship Game the following year.
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They need a new approach on defense and Lawrence could be the guy to lead that charge. In returns, the Giants get arguably the best No. 2 wide receiver in the league and a premium draft pick to go along with it.
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