New York Giants reporter throws cold water on expectations regarding blockbuster trade package for Dexter Lawrence
New York Giants superstar DT Dexter Lawrence requested a trade after ongoing contract disputes, and John Harbaugh is in a tough spot, especially if they only get what one source is reporting.
The New York Giants are focused on the 2026 NFL Draft, which is quickly approaching, and now they have one major distraction to stress over.
The Giants are reporting for the first time today under new head coach John Harbaugh, and they’ll very likely have one major absence. Superstar DT Dexter Lawrence publicly requested a trade from the Giants after long, ongoing contract disputes, and the Giants have to figure this out quickly.
Things could be even more complicated after one team reporter reveals what the Giants could get in a trade, and it’s not good at all.
New York Giants team reporter says sources have low expectations on trade compensation for Dexter Lawrence
Sure, the New York Giants should just pay Lawrence instead of dragging this on or even testing his trade market, since he’s easily their best player. This is a complicated situation, though, and you can see it from both sides. If the Giants do entertain a trade, the return is not at all what you’d expect, according to New York Giants ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan.
Raanan says that he gauged the market for Lawrence, which is much less than expected, with most sources saying the Giants would get a late-first or second-round pick for the defensive tackle.
This makes no sense at all, with Lawrence having a very reasonable contract, and still one of the best at his position despite a down 2025 season. Compared to other trades we’ve seen for defensive tackles, the Giants are best to pay Lawrence.
The Giants should ask for more if they actually want to trade Lawrence
The Dallas Cowboys traded a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and DT Mazi Smith for Quinnen Williams last season, and that’s what the Giants should ask for in a trade with Lawrence. Lawrence and Williams are the same age, and Lawrence has been at the top of his position for years.
We saw Lawrence battle through his dislocated elbow injury from 2024 throughout the 2025 season, which led to a career-low 0.5 sacks in 2025. He still demanded double and triple team blocks all season, and played 754 snaps.
The best-case scenario is that the Giants handle this quickly and pay Lawrence what he deserves. Lawrence is the 11th-highest paid DT on an annual basis, and only makes $22.5 million per year on his current contract. Jordan Davis reset the DT market in March after getting paid a new deal, making $26 million per year, and it’s easy to see why Lawrence is frustrated.
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