After years of contract issues, New York Giants superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II has requested a trade.
Lawrence’s disgruntledness doesn’t come as a surprise. Despite his All-Pro production, he ranks just 12th among NFL interior defensive linemen in terms of salary.
So, with Lawrence’s established, elite production at 28 years old, the Giants shouldn’t hesitate to re-work his contract, especially considering the rest of the defensive tackle room.
Dexter Lawrence’s Difference on the Defense
Even during his “down” season, Lawrence was still the focal point for all NFL offenses in 2025.
Per PFF, he faced the fifth-highest double-team percentage in the league at 70.35%. But among many of these top double-teamers are run-stuffers who have very limited snaps. However, Lawrence played 479 pass-rush snaps and was fifth among qualified interior linemen in pass-rush win rate (14%).
The offense’s focus on him made it substantially easier for New York’s star edge rushers to win. Brian Burns recorded a career high in sacks and was named second-team All-Pro. Meanwhile, standout rookie Abdul Carter had the opportunity to have more one-on-one reps than anticipated.
Some argue his impact was not as strongly felt this season. However, even though he had low sack numbers, and the team’s defense was poor, that is far from the truth. If he were as bad as some people make him seem, then the Giants would be at the bottom of every defensive category.
Lack of Depth in the DT Room
Another more glaring reason not to trade Dexter Lawrence is the Giants’ alarmingly underwhelming supporting cast of defensive tackles.
Lawrence’s 27 QB hurries were 15 more than the next New York DT, with Roy Robertson-Harris notching 12 according to PFF. Even with his extreme double-team rate, he was also first in total tackles (32) in the run game for the interior group.
The Giants were hoping that Lawrence would not have to carry such a heavy load after spending a third-round pick on Toledo DT Darius Alexander. Unfortunately, Alexander did not live up to expectations. Many anticipated that he would be pro-ready because of his extended college experience. Alas, he did not make the difference they hoped for.
Much like the rest of the non-Lawrence interior linemen, he does not possess a truly great trait. In fact, no one outside of Lawrence has a defining move to make his job easier.
Weaker Interior Lineman Draft Class
Even if New York wanted to rebuild the interior with the premium pick that Lawrence would give the team, the 2026 Draft should not be the first place to look.
There are good defensive tackles, including first-round talents like Kayden McDonald or Peter Woods. But nobody comes close to the game-wrecking talent that Lawrence possesses. The rumored return for him would put the Giants in the range to select the lineman of their choosing.
McDonald’s superb run defense, Woods’ untapped potential, or even Caleb Banks‘ monstrous length, would each be an interesting choice in a vacuum, but nothing close to New York’s current star.
Outside of the defensive linemen, drafting a defensive player with the fifth overall pick would be beneficial. However, it would not make up for Lawrence’s absence. Regardless of whether they take Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane, Caleb Downs, or Jermod McCoy, their addition would not be enough.
With all of this considered, the logical thing for Joe Schoen and the New York Giants to do is to give Dexter Lawrence a blank check and to trust the former All-Pro continues to anchor the team’s emerging defensive line.
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