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Giants 7-round NFL mock draft: Dexter Lawrence trade leads to big change

Giants 7-round NFL mock draft: Dexter Lawrence trade leads to big change

April 19, 2026

Source: Yahoo Sports · Read on source site

The New York Giants traded star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in a blockbuster deal less than a week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Giants acquired the 10th overall selection in the draft in exchange for Lawrence's service, USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon confirmed. The deal is subject to Lawrence passing a physical examination, which is expected to take place April 19.

Lawrence spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Giants after being a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Clemson product developed into a high-quality nose tackle, making three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2022-24 and twice earning All-Pro second team nods.

Lawrence's departure leaves a gaping hole in the middle of New York's defense, one it's sure to address at some point during the 2026 NFL Draft. It also gives the franchise two top-10 selections, which will give Joe Schoen's squad unique buying power to reshape itself in the mold of new head coach John Harbaugh and add talent around young quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Here's a look at how the Giants could upgrade their roster during the 2026 NFL Draft after trading Lawrence for an additional first-round selection.

New York Giants mock draft

Round 1, Pick 5: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Harbaugh's defenses with the Baltimore Ravens seemed to always sport high-end, middle-of-the-field playmakers. That should put Styles and Caleb Downs in play with the No. 5 overall selection, but the athletic linebacker will get the nod here.

Styles has rare size at 6-5, 244 pounds and starred at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He should be a dominant, sideline-to-sideline defender at the professional level and has earned comparisons to Fred Warner.

Round 1, Pick 10: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

The Giants now have two, top-10 selections after trading Lawrence to the Bengals. The 10th overall selection should be an ideal range for New York to land some support for Dart, whether it's at wide receiver or right tackle.

Tyson gets the nod here for now. The 6-2, 203-pound receiver is one of the draft's best separators and would be a perfect fit across from Malik Nabers.

Round 2, Pick 37: G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

The Giants brought in Daniel Faalele from the Ravens on a one-year deal, but he is merely a stopgap option at right guard. Pregnon would be a long-term fit to protect Dart, and his power and abilities as a downhill blocker should help make him a Day 1 starter for the G-Men.

Round 4, Pick 105: DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati

The Giants need to add talent to their defensive line to help replace Lawrence. Corleone would give the team a powerful nose tackle option, as he carries a whopping 340 pounds on his 6-1 frame. Corleone didn't notch a sack in his final season at Cincinnati, but he still closed his four-year college career with 9.5 sacks to his name.

Round 5, Pick 145: OT Isaiah World, Oregon

The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor to a three-year, $39 million contract, but it wouldn't hurt the team to add a younger player to challenge him.

World is coming off a torn ACL suffered in the College Football Playoff, so it isn't clear how much he will be able to play as a rookie. That said, he has great size and length with his 6-5, 323-pound frame, so he's a nice developmental option for the Giants. He will just need to work on his pass protection to become a quality professional starter.

Round 6, Pick 186: RB Adam Randall, Clemson

Cam Skattebo is coming off a gruesome ankle injury that prematurely ended his rookie season. He is expected to be ready for Week 1, but it wouldn't hurt the Giants to add extra depth to their running back room as they ease the Arizona State product back into action.

Randall is a former receiver who converted to running back at Clemson. He's still raw, but his pass-catching skills and 6-3, 232-pound frame could make him an ideal long-term partner for Skattebo.

Round 6, Pick 192: C Pat Coogan, Indiana

John Michael Schmitz graded 28th among 37 qualified centers for the 2026 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus. The Giants could stand to add competition for him, and Coogan's 6-5, 311-pound frame and three years of collegiate starting experience make him a solid candidate to challenge the former second-round pick for playing time.

Round 6, Pick 193: DB Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State

OK, look, having the Styles brothers go to the same team may simply be wishful thinking. However, the Giants could use depth at safety – as Harbaugh often played three safeties during his final years in Baltimore – and Styles blazed a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine.

Styles' speed could also make him a special teams asset, so this seems like a quality, late-round gamble for the Giants.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants 7-round mock draft updated after Dexter Lawrence trade, new pick