Hoping that All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence suits up for the New York Giants in Week 1 is one thing.
Expecting him to run out onto the field in a Giants uniform is another conversation.
Lawrence and the Giants have made no progress on a new contract, and speculation regarding a possible trade continues to mount.
Surprisingly, there seemingly hasn’t been much talk about the Giants potentially targeting a Lawrence replacement in next week’s draft.
With five Day 3 picks, there is no reason for the Giants not to look into Florida State’s Darrell Jackson Jr., whose size and length should instantly appeal to any team needing an interior defensive lineman.
What to know about Darrell Jackson Jr. ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
There are big boys, and then there is Jackson.
Trust us, that’s not an insult.
Jackson clocked in at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds at the NFL Combine, down from the 337 pounds that FSU listed him at last season.
It’s not just his weight, as Jackson measured with 34.75-inch arms, 11-inch hands, and an 86-inch wingspan at the combine.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Seminoles coach Mike Norvell called Jackson’s size “elite” and expressed optimism about his fit at either nose tackle or in a 4-3 scheme.
"He has flexibility to play in both,” Norvell said, “but him as a zero [technique] in the 3-4 is going to be really tough for [opponents] with his length and size, coupled with his movements."
The Giants are switching to a 3-4 under new head coach John Harbaugh.
The Giants must consider drafting Darrell Jackson Jr.
Perhaps one of the Giants’ more underdiscussed pre-draft storylines is the lack of conversations regarding adding a defensive tackle.
Take The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, for example. Brugler opted not to have the Giants take a defensive tackle in his final seven-round mock draft.
Granted, the consensus is that this is an extremely weak defensive line class.
However, the Giants’ situation with Lawrence isn’t a slightly above-average starter wanting out.
Lawrence’s counting stats were arguably the worst of his career last year, yet he still graded incredibly well analytically.
Fans should not give up on thinking Lawrence can still be a top-10 defensive tackle. But there is also a very real scenario where the Giants can no longer boast they have such a player.
Brugler mocked Jackson to the Dolphins at No. 94, so the Giants — who are currently without a third-round selection — might need to trade back up from No. 105 for a shot at him.
Or, of course, the Giants could try to snag a third-round pick in a potential Lawrence trade.
At this stage, the Giants — and a new staff featuring so many ex-Ravens coaches — might as well try to kill as many birds with a single stone as possible.
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