The Cleveland Browns continue hunting upgrades to the defensive line ahead of next week’s NFL draft, including a reported trade offer over the weekend for one of the best tackles in the league.
Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants has made it abundantly clear that he wants out of the Big Apple, and Cleveland is willing to give up the No. 39 overall pick in Round 2 to acquire the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
Lawrence, 28, has requested a trade from NYG. He is a 2x 2nd-Team All-Pro (’22, ’23)
The Browns have supposedly offered their 2nd round pick
#DawgPound
“The Browns have reportedly engaged the Giants in trade talks for star DT Dexter Lawrence per @JaredKMueller & @JoshTaylorFB,” the SleeperBrowns X account posted on Saturday, April 18. “Lawrence, 28, has requested a trade from NYG. He is a 2x 2nd-Team All-Pro (’22, ’23). The Browns have supposedly offered their 2nd round pick.”
Dexter Lawrence Adamant About Trade From New York Giants to New Team
GettyNew York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported this week that Lawrence is adamant in his request for a trade, adding that it is about more than money. Lawrence has previously pushed for a pay bump to his $87.5 million contract, which runs through 2027.
“Despite the ‘good conversation’ between the Giants and Dexter Lawrence’s camp, there now is an ‘impasse’ between the team and the player, with no new contract in sight,” Schwartz posted to X.
Schwartz added that interest in Lawrence around the league has been minimal to this point, which means the Browns’ offer of a high-end second-round pick could prove the best deal New York can make.
Pro Football Focus ranked Lawrence the 9th-best defensive tackle out of 134 players at the position who saw enough action to qualify last season, and that was during a down year following a career-high campaign of nine sacks in 2024.
PFF also graded Lawrence as the second-best DT against the run two years ago, and any sort of return to his 2024 form would render Lawerence among the very best interior defensive linemen in the league during his age 29-campaign.
Browns Can Build Elite Defensive Line by Trading for Dexter Lawrence, Drafting Edge-Rusher No. 6 Overall
GettyDefensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.
The addition of Lawrence for a second-round pick would leave the Browns with pick Nos. 6 and 24 in Round 1 to continue improving their roster in next week’s draft.
And while Cleveland is in considerable need of another offensive tackle, specifically on the left side of the line, and a top-end wide receiver to step into the No. 1 role, there is an argument for the team to go with a pass-rusher inside the top 10.
The Browns already employ reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett on one edge and drafted standout DT Mason Graham No. 5 overall in last year’s draft. Trading for Lawrence would solidify the middle of the defensive front, and drafting a player like Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami at No. 6 overall would render Cleveland’s D-line perhaps the best in the entire league.
There is enough depth at the offensive tackle position that the Browns should be able to find a solid prospect there in the mid 20s. The same is true at receiver.
So while Cleveland couldn’t address both in this draft, the Browns could build an elite defensive front, fill one of their two biggest needs on offense and use free agency to find a stopgap veteran like Taylor Decker at left tackle or perhaps Brandon Aiyuk at receiver, assuming the San Francisco 49ers can’t trade him an eventually cut him loose following the draft.
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