In last week’s Ravens Reacts survey, we asked Baltimore Beatdown readers if they wanted to trade for Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
88% of respondents answered yes, though a vast majority of those fans insisted upon keeping Baltimore’s first-round pick in next week’s draft (No. 14 overall).
Reports have placed Lawrence’s trade value at a late first- or early second-round pick, so it is understandably why the No. 14 pick would be considered an overpay. However, in SB Nation’s 2026 Mock Draft,
I considered trading it to the Giants, as managed by Big Blue View’s Ed Valentine.
Though Lawrence wants a new, expensive contract, he likely a better player than anyone the Ravens could get at the No. 14 pick. This turned out to be the case in our mock draft with three of Baltimore Beatdown’s favorite prospects (plus fan-favorite Olaivavega Ioane) going in the previous four picks.
Big Blue View wanted a lot for Lawrence, insisting on the No. 14 pick, Day 2 capital, and a veteran player. I correctly surmised that no team was offering a better first-rounder and stood firm with my offer of the 14th pick plus defensive tackle Broderick Washington. They came back asking for a third-round pick, declined my counteroffer of additional Day 3 capital, and eventually took first- and second-round picks from the Bears.
I could have easily gone over the top to secure Lawrence, but as the survey results indicate, investing premium draft and financial capital into another defensive lineman is not the best allocation of Baltimore’s current resources. Travis Jones signed a three-year extension before the end of the season, and Nnamdi Madubuike seems to be trending towards a return. As much as Lawrence could supercharge the unit, there are just too many needs elsewhere on the roster to give up multiple high-value selections.
The latest reports out of New York indicate that the Giants are considering trading Lawrence with contract talks at a stalemate. Eric DeCosta should at least pick up the phone and call. If the market for Lawrence – the best pass-rushing nose tackle in the league by a wide margin – is as soft as initial reports claimed, then the Ravens’ first-round pick could be a trump card, perhaps one that could even be played on draft night if the board is falling poorly.
