Giants news, 4/17: Dexter Lawrence saga continues, ‘30’ visit reviews

Other Giant observations

Giants’ 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Where will John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen turn? | SNY.tv

Round 1, No. 5 overall: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State This selection came after running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) and linebacker Sonny Styles (Ohio State) went to the Cardinals and Titans, respectively. There’s significant buzz in league circles, per sources, that the draft could unfold exactly that way. The Cardinals could opt for whichever pass rusher the Jets pass on at No. 2, but don’t be surprised if they select Love. There’s a lot of smoke there.  With Styles off the board, the Giants land Downs, giving new head coach John Harbaugh his Kyle Hamilton in New York. It should be noted: there’s a strong chance this is the pick even if Styles is available.

Mina Kimes sees Sonny Styles as the best option for the Giants

2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs | ESPN.com

The true must-get: a defensive tackle with run-defending ability. The Giants’ defensive line is oriented toward penetration and pass rush, and they suffered with easy yardage on the ground accordingly. Even if Dexter Lawrence II stays, adding a rotational nose tackle is a wise proposition — but with Lawrence’s trade demand on the table, the need becomes even bigger.

The bottom line: Plug right guard and add to the defensive tackle room (especially if Lawrence might really leave). Go “best player available” otherwise.

New York Giants contracts review: What their free agency moves really reveal | The Athletic

Now that the dust has settled on free agency, a review of the contracts handed out by the Giants reveals not much has changed. The Giants dished out three mid-level contracts in free agency: Three years, $40 million for tight end Isaiah Likely, three years, $39 million for right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and three years, $36 million for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The percentage guaranteed was nearly identical in the three deals: 65 percent for Likely, 65.3 percent for Eluemunor and 65.8 percent for Edmunds.

The contracts handed out this year bear similarities to equivalent deals in the past when Abrams was the franchise’s top salary cap guru. Last offseason, safety Jevon Holland signed a three-year, $45.3 million contract and wide receiver Darius Slayton signed a three-year, $36 million contract. In 2024, guard John Runyan signed a three-year, $30 million contract. Holland got 66.9 percent of his contract guaranteed compared to 61.1 percent for Slayton and 56.7 percent for Runyan. There are variables in every negotiation, but those percentages are at least in the ballpark of the guarantees in this year’s contracts.

Giants’ Joe Schoen’s future in doubt: ‘He’s on a trial period’ under John Harbaugh, says insider | NJ.com

During the latest of “Bart and Carlin” on ESPN New York, Chris Carlin pressed Raanan on the recent reports suggesting Schoen could be out after the draft. “He’s on a trial period, right? The second John Harbaugh came,” the Giants insider stated matter-of-factly, “So, he’s being evaluated… John Harbaugh’s evaluating him, and there’s questions about… how long he’s going to be the general manager. And until he gets a, or unless he gets a contract extension, that is still clearly on the board.”

The Dexter Lawrence situation, the draft strategy, the free agency approach — all of it is being scrutinized through Harbaugh’s discerning eye. “Are they evaluating him? Is it possible?” Raanan said when pressed for a definitive answer. “Yes, I absolutely think it’s possible.”

Pat Leonard: John Harbaugh will send message with result of Dexter Lawrence standoff | New York Daily News

He now has to decide what tone he wants to set to start his regime with how he resolves this situation with Lawrence. Playing hardball with Lawrence, dragging this deep into the summer, not adjusting his contract and fining him during training camp would be a worrisome way for Harbaugh and the Giants to proceed.

It would reflect they are prioritizing stubbornness and arrogance over the facts of the situation, something they have been known to do plenty in the past. Paying or trading Lawrence, however, both make sense in their own right. What Harbaugh chooses will say everything about how he intends to run these new Giants.

Brian Burns can’t imagine Giants without Dexter Lawrence as contract drama grows: ‘Guys look up to him’ | New York Post

Burns would like to see things pick back up because he has no interest in taking the field without Lawrence joining him on the Giants defense.

“Speaking for me, the Giants ain’t the Giants without No. 97 in the middle,” Burns said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “So we are going to figure that out to keep him here regardless, I hope. That’s my boy. And I don’t want to play this season or any other season without him.”

Darius Alexander on his draft day

New York Giants’ Brandon Allen: Brian Callahan can ‘empower’ Jaxson Dart | USAToday.com

“What he’s so good at is communicating certain ways with different guys,” Allen said. “Some guys might need a pat on the back, some guys might need you to rip them a little bit. He does a good job gauging where the player is, depending upon personality, type of player, that sort of thing. He changes the way he gets the same message across.”

With experience under Callahan, Allen expects Dart to hear “do it right” quite often. “That’s kind of his thing if he eyeballs something wrong,” Allen said. “We’re not always going to redo this play or run that again. That’s his mentality. He is all about the details. He’s not a drill sergeant, but he’s about doing the little things right that will translate into making the whole play right or making the right throw.”

A Letter to NFL GMs | The Players’ Tribune

In his The Players’ Tribune essay, Texas A&M wider receiver KC Concepcion writes a open letter to NFL general managers in which declares himself the best receiver in the class while emphasizing that his edge comes from overcoming adversity, including growing up with a stutter and constantly having to prove himself through relentless work and resilience.

Around the league

Eagles 7-Round Mock Draft: How Philadelphia Can Get Back to the Super Bowl | FOX Sports

Adam Peters and Lance Newmark talk about the Commanders Draft | Hogs Haven

Titans GM Mike Borgonzi praises Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, keeping all options open in draft | NFL.com

Chiefs GM Brett Veach expecting a lot of trades in first round | ESPN.com

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane ‘not available for trade’ as contract talks continue | The Athletic

Chargers still deciding whether to exercise Quentin Johnston’s fifth-year option | Pro Football Talk

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