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John Harbaugh’s first draft with the New York Giants was going to be compelling no matter what. The Giants landed the best coach available on the market and landed the fifth overall pick, along with a roster that already features some fun young talent.
Then there was a twist. Dexter Lawrence, one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen, requested a trade amid a contract standoff.
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That made the Giants’ draft maneuvers even more intriguing. They have said they don’t want to trade Lawrence, but they will also “pick up the phone” if teams call. The unfolding of the Lawrence saga will be the biggest story for the Giants during the draft. It’s possible that a trade could net many more picks to use on a fairly young roster.
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And they still have the fifth overall pick, which will generate some headlines no matter what happens with Lawrence.
Giants try to resolve Dexter Lawrence situation
The Giants are trying to downplay Harbaugh having the final say on personnel decisions, usurping general manager Joe Schoen, but most reports out of New York confirm he will have that power. That was not the case for Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens, and it was reportedly a major issue for him while negotiating with the Giants.
This offseason marks a turning point for the Giants. They have a coach in Harbaugh who will probably make the Hall of Fame one day. To achieve this, they changed the structure of the organization and gave it control over personnel. They already have an attractive core that includes quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers and pass rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns. Harbaugh could join that group and the Giants could take off under his direction. Or he’ll just be another failed coach in the post-Tom Coughlin era, albeit with a better resume.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is entering his first NFL Draft with the team. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Justin Casterline via Getty Images)
Lawrence was supposed to be part of that push. It still could be. There is no need to comply with business requests and is often just a leverage play in stalled contract negotiations. But it’s still a disaster for Harbaugh and the Giants to fix, whether they extend Lawrence or trade him for more draft capital.
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There are still significant needs on the roster, although the Giants would prefer not to have to replace Lawrence, one of their best players.
What will the Giants do with the fifth pick?
The Giants have the fifth and 37th picks in the draft, then don’t go back on the clock until the 105th pick because they traded their third-round pick to the Texans to move up and select Dart in last year’s draft.
New York has to hit a home run at No. 5 and at least get on base with the No. 37 pick. There will be options. Would the Giants make a move for Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, widely considered by many to be the best player in the draft but at a non-premium position? The Giants have no problems at running back, although Love is much better than what they have and has undeniable talent. Love, if available with the fifth pick, would undoubtedly be the most exciting pick the Giants could make.
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However, there are other needs. The Giants need help at guard and a number one cornerback, and there will be options for both spots at number five. They also need to reinforce the interior of the defensive line, and that hole becomes much larger if Lawrence leaves. Finding help to go with Nabers is also a problem. The Giants have some fun players but are also coming off a 4-13 season. There is a lot of work to do. The Giants need a difference-maker at the No. 5 pick, and at least one contributor at the No. 37 pick. There are too many holes to waste a valuable pick.
With the right moves, Harbaugh will be an instant hit in New York. And there will be a lot of eyes on him as he decides what to do with Lawrence.