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Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence II, Target McDonald for Draft Upgrade

4/25/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Giants Eye McDonald

Giants are weighing a trade to move from No. 37 to No. 33 in the 2026 draft to select Kayden McDonald.
They traded Dexter Lawrence II to Cincinnati for the No. 10 pick, creating a line need and requiring 2027 picks.
Analyst Todd McShay rates McDonald, a 6-foot-2 All-American with 65 tackles and three sacks in 2025, as an interior-line prospect, expecting a run on linemen before the Giants pick in the fourth round.

Summary

Cowboys Draft Downs

Giants passed on Caleb Downs twice, allowing the Dallas Cowboys to trade up and select him at No. 11.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers said he would rather have Downs than face him, expressing disappointment.
Cowboys call Downs a versatile “nickel” with Ohio State stats of 68 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack.

Summary

Giants Sign Linemen

Giants GM Joe Schoen confirmed both 20-year-old linemen will receive five-year contracts.
Mauigoa, who started at Miami right tackle and allowed the fewest pressures in 2025-26, will shift to right guard.
Reese, who recorded 69 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season, will line up in the A, B, C and D gaps beside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

Summary

Vikings Choose Thieneman

The Minnesota Vikings will use their No. 18 pick on Dillon Thieneman rather than trade up for safety Caleb Downs.
The Kansas City Chiefs prioritize adding a pass rusher like Arvell Reese or Rueben Bain Jr., leaving Downs as a backup option.
The Miami Dolphins focus on wide receiver Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and cornerback depth, making safety Caleb Downs a lower priority.

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Giants Eye McDonald

Giants are weighing a trade to move from No. 37 to No. 33 in the 2026 draft to select Kayden McDonald.
They traded Dexter Lawrence II to Cincinnati for the No. 10 pick, creating a line need and requiring 2027 picks.
Analyst Todd McShay rates McDonald, a 6-foot-2 All-American with 65 tackles and three sacks in 2025, as an interior-line prospect, expecting a run on linemen before the Giants pick in the fourth round.

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