Every week, our friends at the Giants Wire pick a player from the opposing team to add to their roster. So, we decided to give it a shot.
The Green Bay Packers will play their first game in London against the New York Giants this Sunday. New York is off to an encouraging start under new head coach Brian Daboll, who has brought a winning attitude to an organization that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016.
The question is: who could we pluck from the 3-1 Giants roster to provide depth and/or a talent upgrade to the Packers?
The easy answer is Saquon Barkley, but Green Bay really doesn’t need another running back. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are one of the best one-two punches in the NFL, and there simply wouldn’t be enough touches to go around.
Andrew Thomas is an intriguing option at left tackle, but David Bakhtiari just returned to action, and it is too soon to give up on an All-Pro talent that is so important in the locker room and to Aaron Rodgers.
Another possibility is Kayvon Thibodeaux, a 21-year-old edge rusher with limitless upside, but the Packers have Rashan Gary and Preston Smith hogging all the snaps at outside linebacker.
So, I am going with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Pro Football Focus has Lawrence as New York’s highest-graded defender through the first four games. The former 17th overall pick is still only 24 years and enjoying a breakout season in which he has totaled two sacks and 15 pressures, which is tied for third among defensive linemen this season. Last week against the Chicago Bears, Lawrence posted a career-high eight pressures, which would be the most of any Green Bay player in a game this season.
Now imagine Lawrence joining the likes of Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, Dean Lowry, and rookie first-rounder Devonte Wyatt. This defensive line rotation would look unstoppable on paper and give the Packers a ton of flexibility up front. Not to mention, two dominant players like Clark and Lawrence playing next to each other would be awesome to watch.
What are your thoughts, Packers fans? Would you pick Dexter Lawrence, or would you steal an entirely different player from the New York Giants?