When it comes to the NFL trade deadline, there are all sorts of rumors. Most amount to nothing. There are also plenty of pie-in-the-sky dream trade suggestions. Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated visited trade deadline fantasy-land and came up with a few trade doozies for the New York Giants. Let’s travel into Orr’s fantasy.
Giants DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bills
Price: 2026 first-round pick
*Whiffs smelling salt* O.K., that’s the good stuff. Lawrence is a centerpiece of the Giants’ defensive line but has not played up to his brand name this season. The Lawrence situation recently came to a head when longtime Giants radio voice Carl Banks ripped the former first-round pick and three-time Pro Bowler by saying (as
“Your opponents do not—the pre-injury Dexter is not there in their heads. They don’t respect you. And there’s a difference. You’re on the field, they’re blocking you with a [five]-year backup center. You’re not making a difference. The old Dexter would. There are a lot of things that go into your performance, only you know what that is. Whether you’re still recovering or not, I’m just telling you now, I’m looking at enough tape to know that your opponents don’t respect you, not like they used to.”
While Lawrence is unlikely to land a first-round pick, the Bills’ sheer desperation and the glaring lack of interior defensive line help on the market elevate this to a must-consider for the Giants. Also, Joe Schoen was Bills GM Brandon Beane’s longtime assistant, if that matters for much.
Valentine’s View
There is only one scenario in which I see Schoen trading Lawrence. That would be Lawrence walking into his office and demanding it, telling Schoen he wants to be someplace ready to win right now.
That has not happened yet, though if things don’t change for the Giants I can see the day coming when Lawrence decides he has had enough and requests a trade.
That might even become more likely if the Giants were to fire both Schoen and Brian Daboll and decide to start another complete tear down. I don’t see it in the next few days.
Incidentally, in my view the Giants would have to get more than a first-round pick from the Bills. Remember, that pick will be at the bottom of the round. Buffalo would need to sweeten the pot with something else.
Jets WR Garrett Wilson and a fifth-round pick to the Giants
Price: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick
I wonder if the conclusion Aaron Glenn comes to at the end of this season is that there are certain players he needs to rebuild, and that Garrett Wilson is not one of them. Wilson is an in-prime, top-tier wide receiver who, at best, will be playing for a highly drafted rookie quarterback in 2026. The Jets are on a collision course to have the No. 1 pick, and, with few veteran options on the horizon, may have to begin the offense anew. That’s perilous territory for someone like Wilson, who has thrived despite meager quarterback play throughout his career. The Giants continue a trade deadline trend of scooping up pre-combine market stars from the Jets (Leonard Williams), despite being nowhere near playoff contention. Wilson would be valuable protection against Malik Nabers’s injury.
Valentine’s View
Wilson to the Giants would be awesome. He is a 25-year-old star receiver who surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. Wilson already has a $130 million extension in place through 2030, so this would not be a rental.
The biggest issue is the price. I can’t see Schoen giving up a first-round pick in 2027. Also, I have said many times that without a third-round pick in the upcoming draft I think Schoen will be hesitant to give up that second-round pick and completely sit out Day 2 of the draft.
[NOTE: This has been corrected to reflect Wilson’s contract extension].
Giants OT Evan Neal to the Seahawks
Price: 2026 sixth-round pick
Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022, has some outstanding traits for an offensive lineman, but for one reason or another, struggled to put together a consistent campaign for the Giants. This move provides depth for the Teller signing and a possible flier for the Seahawks, who may want to utilize Neal not only for his guard depth but for additional bigger personnel sets. While the Giants aren’t in a position of strength on the offensive line, with this deal general manager Joe Schoen recognizes the need to give Neal a much-needed change of scenery.
Valentine’s View
Simply put, if the Giants can get SOMETHING for Neal, they should take it.
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