Giants' Top NFL Draft Targets After Dexter Lawrence's Reported Trade to Bengals

The New York Giants gained some extra draft capital after reportedly trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Giants received the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft in exchange for Lawrence.

New York now holds the No. 5 overall choice as well as the No. 10 selection in Thursday's draft.

While Lawrence's departure is a tough blow to the Giants' defensive front, they'll have the opportunity to add a pair of incoming rookies that'll be expected to contribute right away.

Here are three prospects that they can potentially select.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The Giants have shown interest in Jordyn Tyson throughout the pre-draft process, with Garafolo reporting that general manager Joe Schoen flew to Arizona to attend Tyson's workout on Friday. The two also had dinner the night before.

Selecting Tyson with the No. 5 overall pick may be a bit high, but the Giants could choose to wait and draft him at No. 10.

His encouraging freshman season at Colorado in 2022 came to an early end due to a torn ACL, MCL and PCL. Tyson missed almost the entire 2023 season as a result.

Still, he caught 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns while appearing in 14 games with Arizona State during his 2024 campaign.

Tyson missed multiple games once again due to hamstring issues in 2025, but he still reeled in 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in nine contests.

He'd form an intriguing potential receiving duo with Malik Nabers, who is currently recovering from a torn ACL.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Possessing the No. 10 overall pick could also make the Giants feel even more comfortable about drafting a prospect such as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love with the No. 5 choice.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported Friday that Giants officials, including head coach John Harbaugh, are "especially high" on Love and it would be "hard to see them" pass on him if he's still on the board at No. 5.

Love also seemed to be enticed by the concept of joining New York after meeting with the team at the combine.

"All of the coaches in the Giants room were really cool people," Love said at the time, via SNY's John Flanigan. "I like them a lot, I feel like they like me a lot as well -- hopefully they call my name on draft night and we can continue building better relationships."

Love wrapped up an impressive junior year with the Fighting Irish, as he finished No. 3 in Heisman Trophy voting.

He rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in only 12 games, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Love also racked up 27 catches for 280 yards, finding the end zone three times as a receiver.

With Cam Skattebo already in the mix as he works his way back from a dislocated ankle, the Giants could build one of the NFL's most promising young backfields by adding Love.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File

The Giants may have the option to add Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 5 pick, but they could also make an offensive addition at that spot and see if he's still available when they're on the clock with No. 10.

Downs is one of the top defensive prospects in the draft, as he was listed as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class on the most recent big board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department.

In 14 games with the Buckeyes last season, he amassed 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive back. He also took home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Downs would immediately step into a starting spot on a Giants defense that struggled in 2025, ranking No. 26 in the NFL by allowing 25.8 points per game.