The Vikings’ Dream Trade Scenario Takes a Tiny Step Forward
The keyword, folks, is tiny. Several things still need to happen for the Vikings’ dream trade scenario to become a reality.
Acquiring DT Dexter Lawrence, a tremendous talent who would form a deadly duo with Jalen Redmond, would instantly supercharge Minnesota’s defensive line. The All Pro is looking to leave New York behind, so it’s notable when those same Giants start doing work on a free agent DT option.
Does D.J. Reader end up replacing the soon-to-depart Lawrence?
Consider the basic update. Jordan Schultz offers the word: “Sources: The #Giants hosted veteran DT DJ Reader for a visit today. Reader, who also recently visited the #Ravens, has started 128 career games and has been a consistent presence on the interior.”
Shrinking things from a national level down to a local level means relaying the insight from Jordan Raanan: “The Giants hosted veteran DT D.J. Reader for a visit on Monday, source confirmed. No signing imminent at the moment. See what happens around the draft. Reader, 31, would help greatly as interior run stopper. Giants are thin on DL, even with Dexter Lawrence on the roster.”
The Vikings’ Dream Trade Scenario: Dexter Lawrence
Prying away Mr. Lawrence would be a bold, aggressive move.
The defense would instantly look very different. Lawrence stands at a hulking 6’4″ while weighing 340 pounds. Normally, DC Brian Flores has uplifted smaller DTs — Redmond, for instance, is a highly-athletic player at 6’3″ and 305 pounds — but Lawrence is a powerful playmaker, a ballerina bully. Putting those two on the field at the same time would be too much for most center/guard combos to handle.
The Vikings would be wise to seriously consider making a move, even if there needs to be a meaty extension on the back end of things. Special players are difficult to acquire; Dexter Lawrence is a special player who is 28 and who plays a position of need.
Putting Lawrence onto Minnesota’s roster would mean being able to trot Justin Jefferson onto the field as a clear-cut, no debate elite option. Next up would be the trio of LT Christian Darrisaw, EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, and DT Dexter Lawrence as those who don’t get enough respect for playing elite ball.
The Reader update makes the trade scenario a tiny bit more plausible.
The NFL is a place where actions communicate much. Bringing in a veteran DT for a workout could be due diligence. Or, perhaps, it’s a sign that moving on from Lawrence is being given serious consideration. Adding Reader, a veteran DT who possesses a similar build at 6’3″ and 330 pounds, would allow the Giants to solidify the d-line’s floor even as the ceiling has taken a hit.
The pivot in New York would then be to rally around the deep, talented cluster of edge rushers: Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Quite possibly, the Vikings would need to take action in other ways to accommodate Dexter Lawrence.
Maybe that means a trade involving LB Ivan Pace Jr., a swap that would clear modest cap space ($3.52M, per OTC) alongside bringing back modest draft compensation.
Or, perhaps, the move would be to offload Jonathan Greenard. Doing so would help the finances in a more robust manner while bringing back a move valuable pick. Gaining a 2nd could be too ambitious for Mr. Greenard, but the general consensus is that Minnesota wants a Day 2 pick(s). Does a 3rd get the job done?
Lawrence would be the best defensive tackle Minnesota has had since at least Linval Joseph, someone who got his career started with the New York Giants before becoming a Viking. In fact, there could even need to be a further journey into franchise history to uplift options such as Kevin Williams and Pat Williams to find someone as good as Lawrence.
Dexter Lawrence boasts the nickname Sexy Dexy.
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