Giants predicted to send Dexter Lawrence to NFC contender for shockingly low return

Giants predicted to send Dexter Lawrence to NFC contender for shockingly low return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Giants have a couple of top-tier defensive players who will be involved in trade rumors through the next several weeks, at the very least. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a name that has come up in trade rumors several times this offseason, but recently, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence requested that he be traded.

It remains to be seen if the Giants choose to grant that request or work out a new deal with their former first-round pick. But if they do trade Lawrence, one of the best defensive tackles in the entire league, it needs to be for a big return.

That is not what happens in a recent prediction made by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. He lists Lawrence among players who could be traded before the season starts, and has the Giants sending him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a third-round pick in 2027. Here was his analysis:

"The Giants may not be actively shopping defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence either, but the three-time Pro Bowler is looking to be moved. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Lawrence "has requested a trade, and he will not be participating in the team's offseason workout program."

The timing of the reported request seems to indicate that the 28-year-old Lawrence is looking for a new contract. He has two years remaining on his current deal, but his annual salary of $21.9 million ranks only 13th among interior defenders.

If the Giants make Lawrence available at a reasonable price point, the Chicago Bears should be inclined to pounce. Chicago emerged as a legitimate contender this past season, but its defense needs improvement.

Adding Lawrence could help Chicago bolster a run defense that ranked 29th in yards per carry allowed and a pass rush that generated only 35 combined sacks."

Giants-Bears trade prediction lacks a strong return

If you're a Bears fan, this is a great deal. But Lawrence is still just 28 years old and has made the Pro Bowl three times while being named to the All-Pro second team twice. He has plenty of great football left in him and should be worth far more than a third and fourth-round pick.

If the Giants trade Lawrence after June 1, the team would save $20 million in cap space while triggering $6.9 million in dead money. That would be a big net savings for a team that is currently low in cap space, so general manager Joe Schoen could look at it through that lens.

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With that in mind, the Giants have built a strong defense despite their lack of success in recent years. Once they get the offense to improve, this team has a chance to be a quick contender. Lawrence is one of the key pieces of that defense, so it makes more sense for the team to come to terms on a new deal that pays him more before taking an offer such as the one suggested here.

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