Dexter Lawrence would certainly qualify as a splash trade in an offseason that's been all about splashes for the New Orleans Saints. He would immediately bolster the Saints run defense. When making a deal, though, you have to give a little to get a lot. In return, the Saints can help the G-Men bolster their offensive line by sending them Cesar Ruiz.
Lawrence recently requested a trade from the New York Giants, and the Saints should be one of many teams interested in his services. It doesn't sound like the two parties are any closer than they were when the trade was first requested. Ian Rapoport reported the Giants and Lawrence are at an impasse.
The #Giants and star DL Dexter Lawrence, who have been talking about a new big-money extension, have reached an impasse, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2026
The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue. It should come to a head before the Draft. pic.twitter.com/UhNXM4WGwF
Tossing Cesar Ruiz in the deal makes it a win-win for Saints and Giants
The Saints obviously are the biggest winners in any Dexter Lawrence trade, unless they ridiculously overpay for his services. They're getting the best player in the deal, and it's all about sweetening the pot for the Giants.
To sweeten the pot, the Saints can include something many other teams may not have, a starting guard. Insert Ruiz. Including Ruiz could even let you go from leading with a second round pick to leading with a third rounder on the front end, or just limit the need to include a late round pick in the leverage.
The Giants agreed to a one-year deal with Daniel Faalele recently, but that isn't a long-term solution. With he and Jim Harbaugh's history, the Giants would have signed him to a multi-year deal if convinced. Ruiz gives you an established starter with two years left on his deal.
For some Saints fans, the big win is getting rid of Ruiz. He's never been able to provide consistency and has had glaring miscues littered through his performance. Ruiz is serviceable, which is why the Saints have kept him around. Using him as a tool to lower the compensation needed to land Lawrence would be a smart way to offload the contract while also getting an impact player.
It must be noted that trading Ruiz would require the Saints to likely go into 2026 with an unproven, young commodity at right guard. The other option would be to rely on Dillon Radunz. He didn't play at a starting level a year ago, and that's why fans were so eager to land David Edwards.
Ruiz could help you land a big time player. Additionally, it takes a big contract off the books to make room for Lawrence's even bigger contract. The Saints just have to determine if potentially creating a hole on the offensive line is worth getting a force on the defensive line.
Add us as a preferred source on Google