Publicly, the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t discussing the prospect of acquiring New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Privately? So long as Jaguars general manager James Gladstone gets his way, we won’t know anytime soon.
Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Gladstone was understandably asked about potentially adding Lawrence. News broke on Monday that the two-time All-Pro requested a trade as he seeks a new contract.
“That’s not something we’ve gone into,” Gladstone said. “Obviously he’s under contract with them, so not at liberty necessarily to even talk about it.”
Giants head coach John Harbaugh said he believes Lawrence wants to remain in New York, but “there’s business involved.”
Lawrence, who turns 29 in November, has two years remaining on his contract with base salaries of $18.5 million this season and $18 million in 2027. There is no guaranteed money left on his deal.
No, James Gladstone didn’t say the Jaguars won’t trade for Dexter Lawrence
Even if the Giants and Jaguars have discussed a Lawrence trade, neither side is going to say so publicly. That’s especially true for the Jaguars, or any other team, seeing as that could theoretically lead to a tampering investigation.
Regardless, Giants fans should plan on hearing nonstop trade speculation involving Lawrence ahead of the draft. Whether or not such a move would happen, though, obviously remains to be seen.
Lawrence’s status as one of the league’s premier interior defensive linemen, both in terms of traditional statistics and analytics, theoretically gives the Giants leverage to demand at least one first-round pick.
Barring any moves, the Giants are slated to pick No. 5. Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is the overwhelming favorite to be selected at that spot.
As for defensive tackles, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Clemson’s Peter Woods are both considered consensus first-round prospects. Christen Miller, an All-SEC standout at Georgia, could also be in play on Day 2.
The Giants only have two top-100 picks, but they also own five Day 3 selections.