3 Landing Spots for Dexter Lawrence After Trade Request

April 08, 2026 , , ,
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence reacts during 2025 game.

Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants on Monday, skipping the team's first week of offseason workouts under new head coach John Harbaugh. 

The Giants reported for voluntary workouts Tuesday, and Lawrence made sure his message landed before anyone set foot in the building. 

The contract situation has been simmering for two offseasons now, and his $22.5 million annual value has been passed by Milton Williams and Jordan Davis, both now around $26 million, and there's no guaranteed money left on his deal. 

He wants more. The Giants haven't given it. So here we are.

The Giants say they don't want to trade him, and Harbaugh called him the "middle stone" of the defense in February. 

If the price is right, this happens. Here are the three teams that make the most sense.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee has the most cap space in the NFL at over $63 million and nine draft picks heading into April. They've already traded T'Vondre Sweat and have an open spot next to Jeffery Simmons on the interior. 

Simmons and Lawrence together would give the Titans one of the better interior defensive lines in the conference, full stop. 

There's also a coaching connection worth paying attention to. Brian Daboll, now Tennessee's offensive coordinator, spent three and a half seasons as Lawrence's head coach in New York, two of which ended with Lawrence as a second-team All-Pro. 

Lawrence called Daboll "his guy" when the Giants fired him. Don't underestimate how much that kind of relationship matters when a player is choosing where he wants to play. 

The Giants likely can't get Tennessee's fourth overall pick, but an early second-rounder and the ability to absorb a new contract makes the Titans the most realistic trade partner on the board.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have $48.7 million in cap space, third most in the league, and a legitimate need in the middle of their defensive line. 

They signed Dalvin Tomlinson to a one-year deal, which is a fine depth move, not a solution. Lawrence next to Teair Tart and Tuli Tuipulotu, with Khalil Mack off the edge, would make this front seven genuinely nasty to deal with. 

The Chargers have taken a conservative approach this offseason and a trade for Lawrence would be a statement that this team is done being patient. After two straight one-and-done playoff exits, a move like this would send a message.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick after trading up for Travis Hunter last year, but they have a second and three third-rounders in April, plus 11 total picks to work with. 

New GM James Gladstone has shown he's not afraid to be aggressive. After a 13-4 season in 2025, the Jaguars are in a short window and their pass rush was one of the things that held them back (sixth-fewest sacks in the league).

Lawrence next to Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, and Arik Armstead would fix that in a hurry. The AFC South is also genuinely open right now. 

If Jacksonville wants to cement themselves at the top of the division, one phone call to Joe Schoen could do it.

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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