It’s getting late in the NFL offseason trading game for blockbuster moves, but on Thursday, April 16, news broke that one elite tackle wants out of his current situationship. Dexter Lawrence has indicated that he wants the leave the New York Giants, and a report from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones states that the player’s “trade request was not just an attempt to get more money from the team.” He “does indeed want out of New York.”
Enter the Detroit Lions. Sure, Brad Holmes isn’t known for making big moves pretty much ever when it comes to trades or free agency, but let’s live in a dreamland for a moment and say the Lions bring this tackle over to the team.
What Would the Detroit Lions Need to Do to Get This Elite Tackle Into the Fold?
So, what would the Lions need to make happen to entice Lawrence to joint he squad to beef up their offense? It’s all about dollars and cents.
“The Giants do not seem too keen on paying Lawrence high-market price coming off his worst statistical season of his career, but they aren’t going to give him away,” Jones stated in his piece. “If they can get a great offer for him – something that includes at least a first-round pick – I think they will deal him.”
Jones added, “The acquiring team will likely have to pay Lawrence a salary in the high-20s [million range] upon trading for him. That would be OK for a contending team needing an interior defensive lineman and realizing this is not the year to hope you’ll get one in the draft.”
Lawrence has career earnings of approximately $72.7 million, according to Spotrac and Over the Cap research. He’s currently tied to a four-year, $87.5 million extension with the Giants. So, he’s not a cheap player, and that’s problematic for the Lions.
How Detroit Would Benefit From Having Dexter Lawrence on the Squad
When it comes to defense and specifically the tackle position, the Detroit Lions have starters Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, but McNeill has been struggling since he tore his ACL last fall and Williams is still a rookie-level talent. Adding Lawrence would absolutely make the Lions’ defense elite overnight.
Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Second Team All-Pro selection. He’s also clocked 30.5 sacks in the NFL. So, adding Lawrence is an enticing idea, but it may just be a dream for the Detroit Lions. He may simply be too expensive for the franchise, especially given the big-ticket players that Holmes and company still have to extend in the next few years.
Instead, the Lions could go for a tackle in the NFL draft, which is more likely what they’ll do. One name that keeps popping up is Memphis tackle Travis Burke. He’s the kind of “safe” talented that Holmes would take in the draft.
“Burke is a tall tackle with plus drive-blocking talent for his body type,” the player’s official NFL profile states. His profile also says that he “finishes blocks with good aggression when the opportunity arises.” but, “there are areas of concern that might not be coachable, but Burke’s length and demeanor work in his favor.”
It’s a mix of the good and bad, but either way, Holmes has to take care of this tackle situation before the 2026-27 season kicks in. He can do it with a flashy trade, free agency move or in the 2026 NFL draft.
Lions Could Make a Splash With $72.7 Million Player in Trade Move