We have officially reached the “nobody knows anything” part of the Dexter Lawrence trade saga.
Lawrence, a two-time All-Pro, requested a trade from the Giants earlier this month while seeking a new contract.
The Giants, meanwhile, are seemingly no closer to extending arguably their best player.
Naturally, one would reasonably believe that the Giants could use a Day 2 draft pick on a defensive tackle, especially if Lawrence opts to hold out.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler doesn’t feel that way, instead mocking Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to the Giants in his final mock draft.
Should the Giants prioritize defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The proposed Rodriguez pick comes one pick after Brugler suggested the Raiders take Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald at No. 36.
Only four picks later, Brugler mocked Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods to Cincinnati at No. 41.
Ironically, Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. publicly vouched for a Lawrence trade earlier this week.
What’s perhaps most surprising is that Brugler doesn’t even have the Giants picking any defensive tackles.
Upon further reflection, maybe Brugler has the right idea.
Too often, we force teams to draft a player solely to check a box. It’s telling that Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta admitted that the team has fewer than 200 players on its draft board.
Of course, John Harbaugh and much of the Giants’ new staff come from Baltimore.
If Harbaugh and Joe Schoen don’t see a defensive tackle worth taking on Day 3, then why should they draft one?
What to know about Kayden McDonald and Peter Woods
Consider that Brugler doesn’t have a defensive tackle going until McDonald at No. 36. In fact, Brugler has been among the more prominent analysts repeatedly saying that this year’s defensive line class is one of the draft’s weaker position groups.
McDonald is widely considered a borderline first-round prospect, depending on whose mock draft you’re reading. He is fresh off winning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after recording 65 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Based on recent mock draft trends, McDonald is likely to go somewhere between picks No. 20 and No. 45.
Woods is also a borderline first-round pick, so it’s interesting to see that Brugler has him dropping to No. 41. The 6-foot-2, 298-pound Woods is a former top recruit who played both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Tigers.
If the Giants have an opportunity to snag either at No. 37, we suggest they move quickly and add them to the trenches. Both can compete for Day 1 snaps if Lawrence has no plans on rejoining the Giants anytime soon.
Lawrence might not be pleased, but he also likely won’t be satisfied until he has a new contract or a new home.
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