The New York Giants parted ways with unhappy star nose tackle Dexter Lawrence on Saturday night, dealing him to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
The news of the trade has generated mixed reviews from Giants fans, although many around the league are aghast over the Bengals’ willingness to surrender such valuable draft capital for a player who has been largely reduced by injuries over the past two seasons.
One unintended benefit is the approximately $13 million in annual salary cap relief the Giants are getting by shedding themselves of Lawrence’s contract for the next two seasons. However, it also leaves them with $13.916 million in dead cap.
As of Sunday morning, Over the Cap lists the Giants’ available salary cap space at $18.43 million, while Spotrac has them at $19.41 million.
That will be enough to play their incoming draft class and then some. There are still several free agents the team may be focusing on this spring that they were previously unable to afford, but that they now can sign.
The Giants recently held visits with defensive tackles D.J. Rader and Shelby Harris, and will likely circle back around to one of those players, if not both.
Lawrence now must pass a physical with the Bengals. He has dealt with elbow issues the past two seasons, and given the recent Maxx Crosby incident, a deal isn’t a deal until it’s final these days.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: A look at Giants’ salary cap space following Dexter Lawrence trade
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
