After Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants, I broached the idea of trying to deal the star defensive tackle in the ongoing SB Nation Writer’s Mock Draft.
Well, a trade has now been consummated!
After a great deal of back-and-forth with both Nikhil Mehta of Baltimore Beatdown representing the Baltimore Ravens and Lester Wiltfong of Windy City Gridiron representing the Chicago Bears, I took a deal with the Bears.
Giants get: Pick 25 in Round 1 and a 2027 Round 2 pick Bears get: Dexter
Lawrence
How did I do, Giants fans?
I did not get the third piece the New York Jets got when they traded Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, which was a middling player in Mazi Smith. I did get the first- and second-round picks the Jets got. To me, that was most important.
I didn’t want to trade Lawrence. I don’t want to see the Giants trade Lawrence. I have already said that in the end I think the Giants and Lawrence will work something out. I understand why the Giants are not in a hurry — Lawrence does have two years left on his deal. I do think, though, that watching another star player walk out the door is not something the organizations really wants to do.
- John Harbaugh knew Dexter Lawrence’s contract ‘was going to be an issue’
- Survey: Should the Giants trade Dexter Lawrence?
- Dexter Lawrence trade request explained: How did Lawrence, the Giants get here?
- Dexter Lawrence trade request: How would the NY Giants replace him?
- NY Giants news: Dexter Lawrence requests trade, per report
Anyway, back to the deal I made.
I actually felt bad not making a deal with Mehta. He started this process early in the week, and we spent a good deal of time this week exchanging ideas.
I really, really wanted that 14th overall pick in Round 1 that Baltimore has, and Mehta was willing to surrender it. I was looking at guard Vega Ioane as my preferred target there, but cornerback Jermod McCoy, offensive lineman Spencer Fano, wide receiver Makai Lemon, and safety Dillon Thieneman are other players of interest.
My front office of assistant GM Tony Del Genio and college scouting director Chris Pflum were adamant that I get a first- and a second-round pick for Lawrence. I agreed.
Mehta was unwilling to offer a Day 2 pick, with his best offer being 14, a Day 3 pick, and veteran defensive tackle Broderick Washington. So, I said no and moved on to the Bears.
Wiltfong initially offered pick No. 25 and a third-round pick, which would have been No. 89. Chicago has two second-round picks in this draft, Nos. 57 and 60.
I asked for pick No. 60. Wiltfong offered a 2027 second-round pick. As much as I wanted the second pick this year, that still gets me to the first- and second-round pick price tag.
So, I said yes.
We will see when that pick comes up in the writer’s mock what I’m able to do with it.
You can see the results of the writer’s mock draft at SB Nation NFL.
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