Giants have an opportunity to accelerate their rebuild under John Harbaugh after bold Dexter Lawrence trade

John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin were rivals for many, many years in the AFC North, but Harbaugh seemed to borrow a Tomlin catchphrase when Dexter Lawrence wanted a trade from the New York Giants. Tomlin famously said that he wanted volunteers, not hostages on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harbaugh apparently doesn’t want hostages either.

Lawrence might have submitted his trade request as a contract negotiation, but the Giants took him up on it. The Giants traded Lawerence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th pick of the draft. It’s the first time since 2005, when Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders, that a non-quarterback was traded for a top-10 pick.

Losing Lawrence certainly doesn’t help a defense that was soft up the middle last season, especially against the run. But, combined with the fifth pick the Giants already owned, it’s an opportunity to add two important pieces as the Giants try to reimagine their roster under Harbaugh. Hopefully it goes better than the last time the Giants had two top-10 picks.

John Harbaugh of the New York Giants has two picks in the top 10 of this year's draft. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) Lauren Leigh Bacho via Getty Images Giants have options at No. 5 and 10 In 2022, the Giants drafted fifth and seventh overall.