How NFL teams reportedly feel about potential trade for Giants' Dexter Lawrence II

Members of the NFL community were surprised to learn, following the Easter holiday weekend, that New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II had requested a trade. 

Lawrence signed a four-year, $90M contract extension in the spring of 2023. It sounds like Big Blue won't be in a hurry to move him anytime soon amid his alleged desire for a pay raise. 

What could it cost a team to get Dexter Lawrence II from the Giants?

On Tuesday, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post noted that "it feels as if a trade will happen only if the Giants are blown away with an offer" as it pertains to Lawrence. NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY later touched upon what such an offer could look like. 

"SNY surveyed a dozen teams across the NFL," Hughes wrote. "The need to extend Lawrence, and his production dip, makes return compensation complicated. Every team expressed a desire for Lawrence on their team, but most weren’t willing to part with what they believed it would take to get him. The most common expected return value: a late 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, or a second-and fifth-round pick." 

Lawrence became a subject of criticism among analysts and fans because he sometimes appeared out of shape during the 2025 season, which he ended with only half a sack. That said, some viewed the 28-year-old as arguably the most dominant interior defensive lineman of the previous campaign. 

New Giants head coach John Harbaugh made it clear on Tuesday that he doesn't want to trade Lawrence and that he thinks "Dexter wants to be here." However, that doesn't necessarily mean Lawrence is close to receiving the type of extension he wants from the Giants this spring. 

How do people around the NFL think the Giants' Dexter Lawrence II saga will end?

"The decline in production likely prevents Lawrence from resetting the market, but one source expected him to demand $30M annually," Hughes added. "Another front office source, because of the salary cap increase, foresaw something closer to $35M. Most external sources SNY touched base with believed something would eventually get done to keep Lawrence with the Giants."

It remains to be seen if such a deal will get done before the 2026 NFL Draft begins on the night of April 23.