The Giants.com crew members look at what trading Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 pick means heading into the draft.
John Schmeelk: The NFL never fails in the excitement department.
We have been studying the 2026 class going back to August on Draft Season, and analyzing what the Giants might do with their compliment of picks since the season ended in January. A consensus has formed while no one truly has any idea what the Giants front office is thinking.
No pick is made in isolation. Every team walks away with a complete draft class that the organization hopes will send them in a positive direction. Acquiring a second top-10 pick for Dexter Lawrence does a number of things that will impact the Giants' strategy.
Let's roll through some of these along with some questions that accompany them.
- Defensive tackle, though already a need before the trade, is now an even bigger one with Dexter Lawrence no longer in the building. Dan will dive into this deeper in his answer.
- Does having pick No. 10 impact the thinking for No. 5? Knowing the Giants want to draft the best combination of players, do they simply pick the best player first or will they think strategically? Using whatever intel they have been able to gather from league sources, might they have two or three specific players targeted and then order their selections, so they have the best chance of landing two of the three? This strategy requires a certain level of risk acceptance. For example, in this theoretical world, let's assume the Giants have Caleb Downs ranked higher than Francis Mauigoa but would like to draft both players. Even though they think Downs is the better player, they might think Mauigoa has a much smaller chance of getting to No. 10 than Downs. If they pick Mauigoa fifth they could get both, but they also risk losing the better player in their eyes in Downs if he gets picked between sixth and ninth. This game can get very tricky and would require a lot of sweating on draft night.
- With defensive tackle a potential target at No. 37 or No. 105, would the Giants be willing to use both top-10 picks on defensive players too? If the Giants could walk away with both Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs (or Mansoor Delane), it would be hard to pass on that. But does that give the team what it needs to reach the highest levels of success long-term? Should the class be more balanced?
- Or will the Giants want to help their second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart with one of those top-10 picks? Is wide receiver or offensive line a higher priority? Do the Giants have a higher grade on the top offensive linemen or wide receivers? Do they feel better about either position in the second or fourth round and could that influence their selection at 10th overall if the grades are close? There could be six offensive linemen and wideouts selected in the top 15 (see the list below) and there's no way to know which ones the Giants like the best.
- Or, the Giants may just keep this simple, which is probably the best decision they could make by just staying true to their board. They can just go down their board and pick the highest player remaining at No. 5, and then again at Nos. 37 and 105 regardless of position. It's hard to walk away upset if you draft a bunch of really good football players even if they all happen to be on one side of the ball.
The players based on media consensus that seem to be most consistently ranked with first-round grades in no particular order are: Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, Mansoor Delane, Spencer Fano, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, Vega Ioane, Rueben Bain, David Bailey, Fernando Mendoza, and Kenyon Sadiq. Get two of the first nine players on that list and it will be a good night at the office for the Giants on Thursday.
View photos of every NFL player selected with the fifth overall pick since the first draft in 1936.
DT Mason Graham - Cleveland Browns (2025)
OT Joe Alt - Los Angeles Chargers (2024)
CB Devon Witherspoon - Seattle Seahawks (2023)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux - New York Giants (2022)
WR Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals (2021)
QB Tua Tagovailoa - Miami Dolphins (2020)
LB Devin White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019)
LB Bradley Chubb - Denver Broncos (2018)
WR Corey Davis - Tennessee Titans (2017)
CB Jalen Ramsey - Jacksonville Jaguars (2016)
G Brandon Scherff - Washington Redskins (2015)
LB Khalil Mack - Oakland Raiders (2014)
DE Ezekiel Ansah - Detroit Lions (2013)
WR Justin Blackmon - Jacksonville Jaguars (2012)
CB Patrick Peterson - Arizona Cardinals (2011)
S Eric Berry - Kansas City Chiefs (2010)
QB Mark Sanchez - New York Jets (2009)
DT Glenn Dorsey - Kansas City Chiefs (2008)
OT Levi Brown - Arizona Cardinals (2007)
LB A.J. Hawk - Green Bay Packers (2006)
RB Carnell Williams - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005)
S Sean Taylor - Washington Redskins (2004)
CB Terence Newman - Dallas Cowboys (2003)
CB Quentin Jammer - San Diego Chargers (2002)
RB LaDainian Tomlinson - San Diego Chargers (2001)
RB Jamal Lewis - Baltimore Ravens (2000)
RB Ricky Williams - New Orleans Saints (1999)
RB Curtis Enis - Chicago Bears (1998)
CB Bryant Westbrook - Detroit Lions (1997)
DE Cedric Jones - New York Giants (1996)
QB Kerry Collins - Carolina Panthers (1995)
LB Trev Alberts - Indianapolis Colts (1994)
DE John Copeland - Cincinnati Bengals (1993)
CB Terrell Buckley - Green Bay Packers (1992)
CB Todd Lyght - Los Angeles Rams (1991)
LB Junior Seau - San Diego Chargers (1990)
CB Deion Sanders - Atlanta Falcons (1989)
DB Rickey Dixon - Cincinnati Bengals (1988)
LB Mike Junkin - Cleveland Browns (1987)
LB Anthony Bell - St. Louis Cardinals (1986)
LB Duane Bickett - Indianapolis Colts (1985)
DT Bill Maas - Kansas City Chiefs (1984)
LB Billy Ray Smith - San Diego Chargers (1983)
QB Jim McMahon - Chicago Bears (1982)
LB E.J. Junior - St. Louis Cardinals (1981)
RB Curtis Dickey - Baltimore Colts (1980)
WR Jerry Butler - Buffalo Bills (1979)
RB Terry Miller - Buffalo Bills (1978)
DE Gary Jeter - New York Giants (1977)
CB Mike Haynes - New England Patriots (1976)
DE Mack Mitchell - Cleveland Browns (1975)
DT John Dutton - Baltimore Colts (1974)
DT Dave Butz - St. Louis Cardinals (1973)
TE Riley Odoms - Denver Broncos (1972)
DE Richard Harris - Originally drafted by Philadelphia Eagles (1971)
DE Al Cowlings - Buffalo Bills (1970)
QB Greg Cook - Cincinnati Bengals (1969)
LB Fred Carr - Green Bay Packers (1968)
LB George Webster - Houston Oilers (1967)
G John Niland - Dallas Cowboys (1966)
QB Craig Morton - Dallas Cowboys (1965)
QB Pete Beathard - Detroit Lions (1964)
OT Bob Vogel - Baltimore Colts (1963)
RB Bob Ferguson - Pittsburgh Steelers (1962)
TE Mike Ditka - Chicago Bears (1961)
RB Tom Moore - Green Bay Packers (1960)
DB Dave Baker - San Francisco 49ers (1959)
WR Jim Phillips - Originally drafted by Los Angeles Rams (1958)
QB Len Dawson - Pittsburgh Steelers (1957)
DB Art Davis - Pittsburgh Steelers (1956)
LB Tom Bettis - Green Bay Packers (1955)
QB Cotton Davidson - Baltimore Colts (1954)
QB Ted Marchibroda - Pittsburgh Steelers (1953)
B Johnny Bright - Philadelphia Eagles (1952)
DT Bob Gain - Green Bay Packers (1951)
C Joe Watson - Detroit Lions (1950)
QB Stan Heath - Green Bay Packers (1949)
C Vaughn Mancha - Boston Yanks (1948)
E Hub Bechtol - Pittsburgh Steelers (1947)
T George Connor - New York Giants (1946)
WR Elroy Hirsch - Cleveland Rams (1945)
HB Steve Van Buren - Philadelphia Eagles (1944)
HB Mike Holovak - Cleveland Rams (1943)
HB Bob Westfall - Detroit Lions (1942)
HB Jim Thomason - Detroit Lions (1941)
HB Olie Cordill - Cleveland Rams (1940)
HB Bob MacLeod - Brooklyn Dodgers (1939)
HB Jack Robbins - Chicago Cardinals (1938)
C Mike Basrak - Pittsburgh Pirates (1937)
HB Jimmy Lawrence - Chicago Cardinals (1936)
Dan Salomone: John Harbaugh said at the Annual League Meeting "you don't want to go to the buffet table hungry" when it comes draft time. After the Dexter Lawrence trade, the Giants might be a bit peckish.
So, it's a good thing they now have eight picks, including three in the top 37, to fill them back up. And there will be a good spread. Daniel Jeremiah's final top 150 prospect list contains 14 defensive tackles:
- Kayden McDonald (Ohio State, No. 33)
- Peter Woods (Clemson, No. 39)
- Lee Hunter (Texas Tech, No. 41)
- Christen Miller (Georgia, No. 46)
- Caleb Banks (Florida, No. 51)
- Chris McClellan (Missouri, No. 82)
- Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M, No. 87)
- Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana, No. 89)
- Gracen Halton (Oklahoma, No. 105)
- Domonique Orange (Iowa State, No. 109)
- Zane Durant (Penn State, No. 113)
- Rayshaun Benny (Michigan, No. 132)
- Jordan van den Berg (Georgia Tech, No. 148)
- Albert Regis (Texas A&M, No. 150)
Of course, the only ranking that matters is under lock and key on the second floor of 1925 Giants Drive in East Rutherford. What we do know is that Harbaugh will not tolerate a porous run defense, which would be a "disaster." It takes the entire team to stop the run, but the interior of the defensive line is at the heart of the matter.
Meanwhile, roster construction is a year-round process. While all eyes are on the draft this week, there are still avenues in free agency to fill the void.
View photos of every player selected with the 10th overall pick since the first draft in 1936.
TE Colston Loveland - Chicago Bears (2025)
QB J.J. McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings (2024)
T Darnell Wright - Chicago Bears (2023)
WR Garrett Wilson - New York Jets (2022)
WR DeVonta Smith - Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
OT Jedrick Wills Jr. - Cleveland Browns (2020)
LB Devin Bush - Pittsburgh Steelers (2019)
QB Josh Rosen - Arizona Cardinals (2018)
QB Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs (2017)
CB Eli Apple - New York Giants (2016)
RB Todd Gurley II - St. Louis Rams (2015)
TE Eric Ebron - Detroit Lions (2014)
G Chance Warmack - Tennessee Titans (2013)
CB Stephon Gilmore - Buffalo Bills (2012)
QB Blaine Gabbert - Jacksonville Jaguars (2011)
DT Tyson Alualu - Jacksonville Jaguars (2010)
WR Michael Crabtree - San Francisco 49ers (2009)
LB Jerod Mayo - New England Patriots (2008)
DT Amobi Okoye - Houston Texans (2007)
QB Matt Leinart - Arizona Cardinals (2006)
WR Mike Williams - Detroit Lions (2005)
CB Dunta Robinson - Houston Texans (2004)
LB Terrell Suggs - Baltimore Ravens (2003)
OT Levi Jones - Cincinnati Bengals (2002)
DE Jamal Reynolds - Green Bay Packers (2001)
WR Travis Taylor - Baltimore Ravens (2000)
CB Chris McAlister - Baltimore Ravens (1999)
DB Duane Starks - Baltimore Ravens (1998)
G Chris Naeole - New Orleans Saints (1997)
OT Willie Anderson - Cincinnati Bengals (1996)
WR J.J. Stokes - San Francisco 49ers (1995)
LB Jamir Miller - Arizona Cardinals (1994)
RB Jerome Bettis - Los Angeles Rams (1993)
OT Ray Roberts - Seattle Seahawks (1992)
WR Herman Moore - Detroit Lions (1991)
DE Ray Agnew - New England Patriots (1990)
LB Eric Hill - Phoenix Cardinals (1989)
OT Eric Moore - New York Giants (1988)
DB Rod Woodson - Pittsburgh Steelers (1987)
RB Keith Byars - Philadelphia Eagles (1986)
WR Al Toon - New York Jets (1985)
DB Russell Carter - New York Jets (1984)
DB Terry Kinard - New York Giants (1983)
RB Marcus Allen - Los Angeles Raiders (1982)
WR David Verser - Cincinnati Bengals (1981)
DE Jacob Green - Seattle Seahawks (1980)
OT Keith Dorney - Detroit Lions (1979)
OT Gordon King - New York Giants (1978)
DB Gary Green - Kansas City Chiefs (1977)
DB James Hunter - Detroit Lions (1976)
DT Jimmy Webb - San Francisco 49ers (1975)
DT Bill Sandifer - San Francisco 49ers (1974)
DT Joe Ehrmann - Baltimore Colts (1973)
LB Jeff Siemon - Minnesota Vikings (1972)
LB Isiah Robertson - Los Angeles Rams (1971)
WR Ken Burrough - Originally drafted by New Orleans Saints (1970)
WR Jim Seymour - Los Angeles Rams (1969)
OT Mike Taylor - Pittsburgh Steelers (1968)
DE Loyd Phillips - Chicago Bears (1967)
OT Francis Peay New York Giants (1966)
WR Larry Elkins - Green Bay Packers (1965)
DB Paul Martha - Pittsburgh Steelers (1964)
G Rufus Guthrie - Los Angeles Rams (1963)
QB John Hadl - Originally drafted by Detroit Lions (1962)
E Bob Crespino - Originally drafted by Cleveland Browns (1961)
T Ron Mix - Originally drafted by Baltimore Colts (1960)
QB Lee Grosscup - New York Giants (1959)
DT Alex Karras - Detroit Lions (1958)
LB Jerry Tubbs - Chicago Cardinals (1957)
E Menan (Tex) Schriewer - Chicago Bears (1956)
DB Dick Moegle - San Francisco 49ers (1955)
C Ed Beatty - Los Angeles Rams (1954)
LB Tom Stolhandske - San Francisco 49ers (1953)
DB Bert Rechichar - Cleveland Browns (1952)
B Billy Stone - Chicago Bears (1951)
FB Fred Morrison - Chicago Bears (1950)
T Bill Fischer (72) - Chicago Cardinals
DE Max Bumgardner - Chicago Bears (1948)
HB Vic Schwall - New York Giants (1947)
HB Emil Sitko - Los Angeles Rams (1946)
QB Elmer Barbour - New York Giants (1945)
B Johnny Podesto - Pittsburgh Steelers (1944)
HB Jack Jenkins - Washington Redskins (1943)
QB Frankie Albert - Chicago Bears (1942)
B Forest Evashevski - Washington Redskins (1941)
HB Grenny Lansdell - New York Giants (1940)
HB Walt Nielsen - New York Giants (1939)
B Joe Gray - Chicago Bears (1938)
HB Johnny Drake - Cleveland Rams (1937)
B John McCauley - Philadelphia Eagles (1936)
Matt Citak: As Adam Schefter noted over the weekend, the trade of Dexter Lawrence for a top-10 pick made some history. It marked the first time a player has been dealt without any additional compensation for a haul that included a top-10 pick in that year's draft since Randy Moss was traded to the Raiders in 2005 for a package that included the seventh overall pick. There is no doubt that the Giants did well in terms of the compensation the team received for Lawrence. But the trade also leaves a hole in the middle of the Giants' defensive line, one that can be filled in a variety of ways, as both John and Dan discussed.
Before the Giants look to add anyone to the defensive line room from the outside, let's take a look at who's already there. The team spent a third-round pick last year on Darius Alexander out of Toledo, who seemed to get going towards the end of the year. Alexander finished his first campaign with 3.5 sacks and 15 total pressures, but three of the sacks and eight of the pressures came in the final six games of the season. Alexander finished tied for seventh among all rookies in sacks, despite being the 65th overall pick in the draft. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman also saw his playing time increase during that span, as he played no fewer than 40 percent of the team's defensive snaps each week with four games over 50 percent of the snaps played. This came after having played no more than 41.2 percent of the defensive snaps in any game from Weeks 1 through 11.
In addition to Alexander, the Giants have veteran defensive linemen Roy Robertson-Harris and Chauncey Golston. Robertson-Harris was held without a sack last year, but did register between 2.0-3.5 sacks in each of the four seasons prior to that. From 2021-2023, he also recorded 30+ pressures each year, with a total of 109 during that span. Golston is not your traditional interior defensive tackle, but instead a versatile lineman that can be deployed at various spots across the line. He's coming off a down year in which injuries limited to him to only 10 games, but the veteran did pick up a career-high 5.5 sacks for the Cowboys in 2024. On top of these two, the Giants also have veterans Sam Roberts and Marlon Tuipulotu, both of whom have served in limited roles during their NFL careers. Elijah Chatman, a former undrafted free agent, is the final member of the defensive line room, coming off a season in which he appeared in only five games.
Based on all of this, there is no doubt that the Giants are going to look outside of the building to add a couple of big bodies to this group. Fortunately for the Giants, there are still several interesting, veteran defensive tackle options available, not to mention an intriguing group of prospects. Look for the team to add numerous players to this room over the next few weeks in the form of both draft picks and free agent signings.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his fourth ranking of the top 50 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
No. 49 Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
No. 44 R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
No. 57 Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
No. 47 Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
No. 40 Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
No. 45 Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
No. 53 Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
No. 43 Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
No. 51 Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
No. 42 Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
No. 35 Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
No. 34 Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
No. 36 Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
No. 39 Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
No. 41 Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
No. 31 Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
No. 38 Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
No. 33 Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
No. 37 Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
No. 29 Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
No. 32 CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
No. 25 KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
No. 28 Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
No. 23 Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
No. 30 Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
No. 21 Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
No. 27 T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
No. 26 Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
No. 24 Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
No. 18 Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State
No. 22 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
No. 20 Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
No. 17 Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
No. 16 Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
No. 15 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
No. 19 Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
No. 14 Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
No. 13 Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
No. 12 Makai Lemon, WR, USC
No. 11 Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
No. 10 Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
No. 8 Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
No. 9 Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
No. 7 Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
No. 6 Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
No. 5 Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
No. 4 David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
No. 3 Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
No. 2 Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
No. 1 Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
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