The NFL offseason never fails to disappoint. Just when free agency begins to die down, NFL Draft news ramps up, and trade rumors circulate. On Monday, three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants. The Baltimore Ravens should get involved.
ESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team’s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2026
Lawrence and the Giants have been through two off seasons attempting to negotiate a contract… pic.twitter.com/WUSTNxmeGh
There’s a little extra incentive here. The Giants' new head coach is John Harbaugh, whom the Ravens fired back in January after a disappointing 2025 campaign. While there may be a little bit of bad blood with how it went down, that connection between Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta could open the door for trade negotiations.
Baltimore has been searching for one more addition for their interior defensive line. They held a visit with D.J. Reader last month. However, Lawrence could be an unexpected big-time bonus in the trenches. They’ve been making that a priority this offseason.
Baltimore Ravens should be entertaining the idea of trading for Dexter Lawrence
The Ravens have been more aggressive than usual this offseason. They made an effort to trade for Maxx Crosby before backing out of that deal and then signed Trey Hendrickson in free agency. The front office was interested in linking up the two, though, and they might be able to find Hendrickson’s partner in crime by way of Lawrence.
Lawrence will likely come at a lucrative cost. It may not be Quinnen Williams territory; the need for a new contract that could surpass the $30 million salary mark, in addition to his lackluster production in 2025 (0.5 sacks and four tackles for loss), could slightly drive down the price. However, he remains a fearsome lineman, and it may require a first-round pick or a second-round pick plus more to push a potential deal over the finish line.
Whatever package New York wants in return, Baltimore should at least try to meet it. There’s some uncertainty surrounding Nnamdi Madubuike’s future, and if he can’t suit back up, Lawrence would be a worthy replacement. If he can suit up, then Lawrence would cement, probably, the best defensive line in all of football, playing alongside Madubuike, Travis Jones, Trey Hendrickson, and Mike Green. It’d be insane for that to be the lineup after having a very weak defensive front in 2025.
Issues could arise with the Ravens’ cap space. According to Spotrac, they have $30.5 million freed up, and while a Broderick Washington cut could open up more money this year; the issue would surround the future. Madubuike’s cap hit hovers around $30 million for 2026 and 2027, and Jones’ will rocket to over $16 million in 2027 and 2028. Adding Lawrence to that mix would be an extreme financial commitment to the interior.
The idea of the move sounds worth it, though. There’s a lack of high-end talent in this year’s draft, and investing a bundle of their 11 picks would be a smart move for the Ravens. If John Harbaugh is down to talk business, then DeCosta should be trying his darndest to acquire Lawrence.