John Harbaugh and the New York Giants know that replacing All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is far easier said than done.
But, in the three weeks since the Giants traded Lawrence to the Bengals, they’ve at least kept busy in finding those who can at least try to fill the gap.
Veteran defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris have since joined the Giants, as did sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis.
The Giants also claimed Zacch Pickens, a 2023 third-round selection by the Bears, off waivers. Pickens played in three games for the Chiefs last year.
“It’s not that we wouldn’t have drafted a defensive tackle sooner or signed one if they had become available or kept Dexter [Lawrence] if that was something we could do — those were all things that were on the table,” Harbaugh told reporters on Saturday.
John Harbaugh all but admitted the Giants always intended to replace Dexter Lawrence
Seeing as Harbaugh has been a head coach for nearly 20 consecutive seasons, he almost certainly learned long ago the power of subliminal messages and confessions.
When you read between the lines, you’ll realize that Harbaugh essentially confirmed he didn’t expect Lawrence to remain with the Giants long-term.
When NFL teams want to do something, they do it. That’s why many remain extremely skeptical about the Giants reuniting with Odell Beckham Jr.
If the Giants truly wanted to sign Beckham, wouldn’t they have done it already?
Consider Harbaugh’s comments about the new-look defensive tackle room. Bringing in Reader and Harris, as well as drafting a defensive tackle, were “always on the table.”
It’s also fair to wonder whether the Giants always envisioned possibly trading Lawrence at the deadline had they not worked out an extension.
Considering that the Giants are amid another rebuild, such a possibility certainly makes sense.
Will the Giants regret trading Dexter Lawrence?
Looking back, Lawrence wasn’t likely for New York even if he had signed a one-year extension. Consider that Lawrence turns 29 in November and has only played in two postseason games.
Lawrence didn’t help matters last fall, either, when he feuded with Giants legend and radio analyst Carl Banks, calling the longtime linebacker “delusional” at one point.
Trading Lawrence always made sense, and his résumé and value were enough to land the No. 10 pick.
The key is whether rookie offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, whom the Giants selected with the first-round pick acquired in the Lawrence trade, stays healthy and becomes at least an above-average starter.
If that’s the case, the Giants will know sooner rather than later if they can pat themselves on the back for a job well done.
Otherwise, at least Joe Schoen got a first-round pick for a player who had requested a trade. That in itself is a victory.
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