Giants Flip Dexter Lawrence for $96 million in a trade pitch.
Under the leadership of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, is it time for the New York Giants to make a major move?
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report appears to believe so, as seen by his recent, February 5, blockbuster trade suggestion for Buffalo Bills superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The specifics of the fictitious proposal that would deliver Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence—a six-time 1,000-yard wide receiver—to the AFC East rival are listed below.
This speculation dates back to Diggs’ remarks before the 2024 Pro Bowl, when the $96 million playmaker said he wasn’t sure if he would still be playing for Buffalo.
Although Moton’s theory in the package above is audacious, the NFL writer provided ample data to support it. He continued by outlining “a few reasons or motives” for why Diggs would be sought after by Big Blue in 2024.
Brian Daboll and Stefon Diggs Reunited in New Jersey Through Giants Trade Theory
Together, Daboll and Diggs had a successful tenure with the Bills in upstate New York. Could the same chemistry exist in the NYC region?
After dissecting the plan, Moton said, “First and foremost, the Giants desperately need help in the passing game.” “At the end of the 2023 season, none of their pass-catchers had more than 60 receptions or four receiving touchdowns. Darius Slayton, a wideout, led the team with 770 receiving yards.
“It appears that New York made a mistake in trading tight end Darren Waller to the Las Vegas Raiders,” he continued. Waller had a successful rookie season with the Giants, having caught 52 receptions for 552 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, “quarterback Daniel Jones, who has a four-year contract worth $160 million with $81 million in guaranteed money, will enter the second term of that agreement.”
“The Giants need to add a top-tier pass-catcher if they want to build around Jones after making the expensive investment in him,” Moton stated. “Daboll was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2021, so he is familiar with Diggs.” When Daboll was the play-caller for the Bills, in 2020 Diggs received his first and only All-Pro selection.
The expert for Bleacher Report also pointed out that by selecting Lawrence, NYG is able to retain both one of their two 2024 second round picks and their No. 6 overall pick. “Keep in mind that Diggs’ age [30] may reduce his trade value relative to wideouts who have recently moved in blockbuster deals.” Moton said.
When you take into account that Schoen and Daboll may be facing a make-or-break season, there is justification for a move of this kind. But should the Giants take it?
Giants Losing Dexter Lawrence Would Be Difficult to Sell
Though Lawrence’s contributions don’t always appear on the stat sheet, the game-changing offensive lineman has emerged as the key player in this NYG defense. Even while the Giants get to retain some draft capital in the process, shipping him off at age 26 for a wide receiver who might be nearing the end of his career in the next year or two is, to put it mildly, a very difficult sell.
In each of the last two seasons, Lawrence was selected to the Pro Bowl and was named to the second team of the All-Pro team. In addition, he just finished a season on Pro Football Focus where he had 35 defensive stops and 65 quarterback pressures while frequently being double-teamed.
Out of all interior defensive lineman, those totals placed seventh and tied for thirteenth. Lawrence finished second in the NFL in 2022 with 70 pressures, trailing only Chris Jones, and seventh with 42 stops.
Throughout his career, the former first-round pick has also accounted for 21.0 sacks and 28 tackles for a loss, and he is a hard guy to replace. Given that the Giants should have the chance to select one of the top three wide receiver prospects in the 2024 draft—Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze—at No. 6 overall, it makes sense that his influence may exceed Diggs’.
Leave a Reply