Dexter Lawrence is arguably one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the NFL. A two-time Second-Team All-Pro nose tackle, and a three-time Pro Bowl selection across seven seasons, Lawrence has built a résumé that places him in rare company at his position. With the Jaguars reportedly being one of many teams to reach out to the Giants to inquire, we thought it time to discuss the likely uncomfortable price for acquiring the dominant interior lineman.
Lawrence’s 2024 campaign was, by every metric, a statement year featuring nine sacks while leading the league in double-teamed rate.
Then came 2025, a down year by any measure, with just half a sack to his name. Reports out of New York suggested Lawrence wasn’t in ideal shape entering the offseason and appeared to play at less than full effort on tape at times. It’s fair to say both sides of this debate, to trade for him or don’t, have legitimate ground to stand on.
The “down year” Context
Despite the narrative around Lawrence’s 2025 season, his Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 84.5 ranked seventh among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen, which includes both nose tackles and three-technique defensive tackles. His run-defense grade of 57.0 ranked 56th at the position. For comparison, Jacksonville’s own Davon Hamilton posted a 61.1 run-defense grade, 42nd in the NFL, which actually edges Lawrence in that specific category.
But the pass-rush gap is significant: Lawrence generated 34 quarterback pressures in 2025 compared to Hamilton’s 11. To be clear, this isn’t a knock on Hamilton. No nose tackle who primarily lines up at that spot has produced anything close to what Lawrence has as a pass rusher. Across his career, he’s simply been in a class of his own.
If you believe getting Lawrence into the building reignites him, and you’re banking on getting the 2022-to-2024 version, you have to consider making the trade.
Cost is Everything
The Giants’ reported opening ask is a “Quinnen Williams-type deal.” For context, Williams was sent to Dallas for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. That’s a steep price, and with likely 12 or more teams around the league having some level of interest in a talent like Lawrence, the Giants are likely to have real leverage. However, that doesn’t mean that New York will get an offer to that level.
Per the socials, many in the Jaguar fanbase have floated prospective trades, offering Jacksonville’s pick 56 their second-round selection in this year’s draft, plus a player, as a starting offer. In a real-world negotiation, that likely falls well short of what New York would accept. Others have suggested a second this year paired with a second in 2027 as their maximum offer.
But the most serious offer on the table, one that could actually move the needle, would likely involve Jacksonville’s 2027 first-round pick, plus a player, with Davon Hamilton being the natural name to attach, as he plays the same position as Lawrence. The 2027 draft class is widely considered loaded, which raises the cost of a 2027 first considerably. Moving Hamilton would also provide Jacksonville with meaningful cap relief.
What’s your best offer?
With Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker locked in on the edges for the foreseeable future, adding Lawrence to the interior would transform Jacksonville’s defensive line from good to genuinely dangerous. The question is whether Gladstone is willing to pay the price to find out.
With no 2026 first round pick available, what’s the most you’d offer the Giants for Dexter Lawrence, BigCatCountry? Let us know in the comments!
