The New York Giants made two huge splashes in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. Now, all eyes were on the 37th overall pick, their lone selection of the second day of the draft. With the amount of top defensive tackles falling into the second round, it made sense for the Giants to target their replacement for Dexter Lawrence, who the team traded to the Cincinnati Bengals after both sides reached an impasse.
Perhaps the best option for the Giants was Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, who was still in the green room in Pittsburgh, waiting to get drafted. The way the start of the second round began, it looked like the Giants would have the chance to draft them.
But then, it was announced that the Las Vegas Raiders traded the No. 36 overall pick to the Houston Texans, who held the No. 38 pick. With that pick, the Texans selected McDonald. So, the perfect player to replace Lawrence was taken just one pick before the Giants were on the clock.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that the Texans "were concerned" that the Giants were going to take McDonald, so they negotiated a deal with the Raiders to leap ahead of them.
Texans were concerned the Giants - after trading Dexter Lawrence - would draft Kayden McDonald. They moved up to ensure they got their big NT. https://t.co/j2UKIjJO7I
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 24, 2026
Giants watch Texans take away their perfect Dexter Lawrence replacement
Talk about a brutal situation, but that's what happens in the draft. If a team has a feel that a team ahead of them will take the player they want, they will do what they can to leap ahead of them. The Texans obviously had a sense that McDonald would not fall to that at spot No. 38, so they ensured they didn't have to worry about it.
As for the Giants, they opted to take one of the top cornerbacks available in Tennessee's Colton Hood. Cornerback was an area of need for them, considering they didn't make a significant upgrade to improve the secondary this offseason.
But now, the focus will be on how the Giants will plan on replacing Lawrence as the starting defensive tackle. Recent reporting indicated that the Giants will be signing former Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader after the draft. It's quite possible they could add another defensive tackle option during Day 3 of the draft.
The Giants perhaps had their best chance of filling the void in the middle of the defensive line with their second round pick. Unfortunately for them, the Texans got an assist from the Raiders to put an end to the dream scenario.
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