The Green Bay Packers have two clear areas of need heading into the draft next week, defensive tackle and cornerback.
Both position groups saw some degree of bolstering in free agency, with nose tackle Javon Hargrave and corner Benjamin St-Juste added to the mix last month. But with the departures of Colby Wooden and Nate Hobbs, the pair’s respective additions ended up being closer to exchanges rather than actually increasing the bulk and strength of the room.
With the draft just days away, the focus in Green Bay is which position group the team will look to add to first with the 52nd pick in the NFL draft. However, it could be that the team could end up entering the draft without said pick, if they instead decide to pursue a big time trade target.
And it seems that one potential target could be a natural fit for the Packers, as ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter listed the team on Wednesday as one of the franchises that could be in the mix to trade for All-Pro New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Packers Listed as a Fit for Dexter Lawrence by Schefter
“I could see the Packers in that mix, yes,” Schefter replied to a question regarding if Green Bay are one of the teams to consider when looking at possible trade destinations for Lawrence, who appears to be at a contract impasse with the Giants.
Lawrence is one of the few nose tackles who has elite pass-rushing capabilities, managing a whopping nine sacks from the position back in 2024 – whilst also missing a total of five games.
A lingering elbow injury suffered at the end of the 2024 season appeared to hamper his play and production in 2025, where he only managed a total of 0.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss, alongside a career-low 38 total tackles.
Are the Packers Realistic Trade Partners for Lawrence?
The Packers would be an excellent fit for Lawrence, who has turned into one of the most dominant defensive tackles in football over the past half decade. The team already has three-technique Devonte Wyatt, who has continued to improve over the course of each season since being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Whilst Green Bay did add Hargrave, he is not a long-term option coming in at 33 years old. And after a disappointing last season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, it is quite possible that he does not last much more than the season in Wisconsin.
Lawrence would immediately upgrade the interior and give the Packers immense pass-rushing capabilities across the defensive line, filling a need in both the short and longer term.
The primary foreseeable issue concerns draft capital. The Giants are reportedly looking for at least a first round pick and “possibly more“, according to The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov. And Green Bay does not have a first round pick in either 2026 or 2027 after making the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons.
So in order to pull off the trade Green Bay would need to give up second round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus a sweetener to the deal, such as wide receiver Jayden Reed or some draft mid round draft compensation in 2028.
And if there are other teams competing and offering substantial draft capital in 2026, it could be difficult to convince New York to take the Packers’ offer.
But if they offer enough, and the Giants are willing to part with Lawrence, it could certainly be a match made in heaven.
Packers Get Positive Dexter Lawrence Update From Adam Schefter