When Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants, the All-Pro defensive lineman became the most gifted player available to 31 other teams across the league this offseason, presuming he actually winds up being moved.
“You’re talking about a top-five defensive lineman in the league,” an NFC North defensive coach tells Between The Hashmarks, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about a player on another team. “Dexter Lawrence is a difference-maker.”
Trading for Lawrence, who has made three Pro Bowls while posting 30.5 career sacks through the first seven seasons of his career, could be problematic because a team would likely need to include at least one first-round pick in the package to the Giants and have the cap space to make him one of the highest-paid players in the sport.
Still, the Packers could be an ideal fit, from a scheme and need perspective.
Do the Packers make sense as a Dexter Lawrence destination?
Over at the team’s official website, though, Wes Hodkiewicz argues that Green Bay has already done enough along the offensive line to be able to sit out the Lawrence bidding war.
“Lawrence is one of the best in the game,” Hodkiewicz writes. “But the Packers have a sturdy interior with Javon Hargrave, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks. I feel like the goal now should be to find the right mix of young players to rotate alongside them.”
Trading for Lawrence could be a real struggle for the Packers, given that Green Bay does not own a first-round pick in 2026 or 2027, anyway, and general manager Brian Gutekunst has only $22 million in cap space this offseason.
While Lawrence could significantly elevate the Packers’ defense into the realm of units capable of driving a Super Bowl championship, it simply. might not be realistic, especially if there’s a bidding war for his services.