New York Giants NFL Draft Targets After Acquiring No. 10 Pick For Dexter Lawrence

It turns out the NFL couldn’t wait until draft night.

After All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence requested a trade, the Giants granted his wish, sending him to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall selection in Thursday’s draft. The Giants now hold the fifth and 10th overall picks in this draft, while the Bengals (barring any more trades) won’t make their first selection until 41st overall.

And although Lawrence doesn’t score fantasy points for us, his trade could easily impact the players who will. Let's recap the trade and see where both teams stand on the draft board, as well as highlight a handful of players that make sense as Giants NFL Draft targets inside the top 10.

Giants and Bengals Dexter Lawrence Trade Summary

As mentioned, this was a simple one-for-one swap, with the Cincinnati Bengals acquiring three-time Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the 1.10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This gives the Giants two picks inside the top 10, with their full list of picks outlined below.

New York Giants Draft Picks After Dexter Lawrence Trade

See below for a summary of the Giants' picks in the NFL Draft:

Round 1: 1.05, 1.10
Round 2: 2.37
Round 4: 4.105
Round 5: 5.145
Round 6: 6.186, 6.192, 6.193

Cincinnati Bengals Draft Picks After Dexter Lawrence Trade

See below for a summary of the Bengals' picks in the NFL Draft after shipping out their Round 1 pick:

Round 2: 2.41
Round 3: 3.72
Round 4: 4.110
Round 6: 6.189, 6.199
Round 7: 7.221, 7.226 (via DAL)

RELATED: NFL Draft Guide

Who Will The Giants Select In The NFL Draft? Five Potential Targets

Jeremiyah Love | RB

For months, there has been smoke surrounding the top running back prospect, Jeremiyah Love, and the Giants. Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, new head coach John Harbaugh and the Giants are “especially high” on the Notre Dame star, and would have difficulty passing on him if he were on the board.

They now may have two chances to draft him.

It feels inevitable now that if Tennessee doesn't select him at 1.04, the Giants will make the move, especially with division-rival Washington right behind them at 1.07. It may not be the most pressing need for this ball club, but the team is clearly infatuated with Love. If he is, in fact, the pick, Love would be in line for a massive workload out of the gate.

Sonny Styles | LB, Caleb Downs | S

Many recent mock drafts, including our own Matthew Freedman's latest NFL mock draft, have the Giants going defense at No. 5 overall. If that's the case, Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs would surely be the pick. An off-ball linebacker at fifth overall may seem high, but Styles has freaky athleticism, while also possessing the size to play EDGE if needed.

Downs, meanwhile, would give Harbaugh his potential star safety again, a la Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. The question, however, is whether or not the Dallas Cowboys, who have been rumored to move up inside the top five, jump ahead of their division rival for either Styles or Downs.

Francis Mauigoa | OT

The Giants also need to address the offensive line. Andrew Thomas is one of the best left tackles in football, but when he misses time, this unit falls apart. And he’s missed a lot of time. As Ian Hartitz points out in his Giants NFL Draft team needs, Thomas has missed 57% of games over the last three seasons. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa could make sense, and although he’s listed as a tackle, a move to guard is very possible.

However, this one trade increased the likelihood of one position, and perhaps a certain player, joining the Giants.

Jordyn Tyson | WR

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who reportedly passed all of the tests during his highly anticipated Friday workout, had dinner with Giants general manager Joe Schoen. He also flew to Tyson’s workout, and it now appears that the two earliest landing spots for the high-upside pass catcher are the Saints at 1.08 and the Giants, who now suddenly sit at 1.10. Malik Nabers may not be ready for Week 1, especially after Schoen’s recent statements regarding his star wide receiver’s recovery.

“Malik is trending to hopefully be ready for training camp,” Schoen said. “Things can change … but that’s the hope.”

The Giants are unlikely to take skill position players with both first-round picks, meaning if they pass on Love at 1.05, the odds of Tyson (or any wideout) being the selection at 1.10 overall skyrocket. And while many believe selecting a running back in Round 1 of the draft is foolish, the Giants having two top-10 selections makes it easier to stomach.

With the draft rapidly approaching, this simple one-for-one trade will have a serious impact.

RELATED: Jordyn Tyson Prospect Profile

Players Mentioned in this Article

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