The Jacksonville Jaguars opted for a deliberate approach to free agency because they wanted to wait until the NFL Draft to address the larger scale roster. Having said that, general manager James Gladstone has shown that he's not afraid to make a trade if it will help the Jags fix a glaring position need. Thus, nobody will bat an eye if he zeroes in on Dexter Lawrence.
See, defensive tackle is Jacksonville's biggest need, and Lawrence just requested a trade. This could give Gladstone the perfect opportunity to check off a massive box.
The Jaguars could call the Giants about Dexter Lawrence
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade, adding that the All-Pro defensive tackle won't partake in New York's offseason workout program.
The Giants don't appear to be open to trading Lawrence. The issue is that they aren't treating him like the franchise cornerstone they claim he is. Rightly, the 2019 first-round pick wants to get a raise or go to a team that will be willing to pay him.
This puts Big Blue in a tight spot. Lawrence is their best defensive player, and if newly hired head coach John Harbaugh wants to turn things around fast, keeping him around makes the most sense. On the other hand, New York could get a draft haul in turn for the veteran defensive tackle, so the thought of trading him shouldn't be ruled out.
Of course, the Giants can put all the trade chatter to rest by giving Lawrence the deal he wants. And the fact that he just made his trade request public may speed up negotiations. Heck, it may incentivize both parties to reach an agreement. But if they don't, perhaps trading him is the best course of action.
In 109 games with 102 starts, Lawrence has racked up 30.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. The Jaguars could most definitely use that kind of production on the interior defensive line.
Trading for Dexter Lawrence won't come cheap for the Jaguars
Next to Josh Hines-Allen, the recently extended Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead, Dexter Lawrence would turn the Jaguars defensive front into a force to be reckoned with. The issue is that Jacksonville would most likely have to pay a steep price to land him.
The Jags might need to give up two first-round picks, or a first and a second, for Lawrence. The trouble is that they don't have a first in 2026, but maybe they could include wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in a trade package, which makes sense when you take into account New York's reported interest in him. But on top of needing to meet the Giants' asking price, Jacksonville would need to give Lawrence a new deal.
Currently, the Jaguars have around $6 million in space, so they would need to restructure a few deals to absorb Lawrence's contract and give him a raise. When you add it all up, this could turn out to be a price move.
Of course, the Jaguars would need to give up substantial assets to acquire Dexter Lawrence, but he would most definitely take care of a massive need.