Brian Burns would like to see Giants add ‘veteran presence’ to replace Dexter Lawrence

The Giants’ defense suffered a blow this weekend, as they sent All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 Draft.

Lawrence, of course, requested a trade away from the Big Apple after the two sides hit an impasse in long-term contract negotiations over the past few weeks.

While the 28-year-old is coming off a career-worst showing across the board, Big Blue will now have to find a way to replace one of the premier interior presences in football.

They could look to take one during the NFL Draft later this week, but fellow pass rusher Brian Burns is hoping that they take a different approach.

“I would like to see a veteran,” he said on The Exhibit with Josina Anderson. “Somebody who has done it before, somebody who has been in the paint -- we’re not really in the position where we need to mold a bunch of young d-tackles, a veteran presence would be great in the middle of our defense, for sure.”

Even before the Lawrence trade was on the table, the Giants began laying the groundwork for a couple of veteran options, bringing in both D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris for visits.

Reader is arguably the top option on the board, coming off a season in which he finished with a 72.6 PFF pass-rush grade across 17 games with the Lions.

Harris remained a steady run-stopper last year in 17 games with the Browns (62.3 PFF run-defense grade), and recorded 19 of his 228 career quarterback hurries.

39-year-old Calais Campbell could also be an option if he decides to play a 19th season.

Now matter what route the front office ultimately decides to take, New York certainly needs to make an addition or two for the middle of this group before the regular season begins.