Giants predicted to replace Dexter Lawrence with Ole Miss DT in ESPN mock draft

The New York Giants made the bold but probably correct decision to trade away Dexter Lawrence this offseason, landing the No. 10 pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2026 NFL Draft.

But with Lawrence now gone, there's a huge hole on the defensive side of the ball. Finding a new defensive tackle would be a huge need over the next year for the Giants.

Jordan Reid, in an ESPN mock draft, predicted that the Giants would land their Lawrence replacement with 6-foot-3, 315-pound Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles with the No. 9 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Giants predicted to draft Will Echoles to replace Dexter Lawrence

"9. New York Giants. Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss," Reid predicts. "... Echoles is the best of a deep defensive tackle crop, as his power and pass-rush push give him a well-rounded skill set."

After losing Lawrence, the Giants are now turning to DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, Darius Alexander, Leki Fotu, Marlon Davidson, Zacch Pickens, and a few others to fill in his spot.

Of course, this isn't a long-term solution to the position, so adding one in the 2027 NFL Draft would make a lot of sense.

Echoles, who turned 20 years old recently and is a Junior out of Ole Miss, would be an incredible addition to the Giants' defensive line.

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He had 68 total tackles last season for Ole Miss, recording 32 solo tackles, five passes defended, five sacks, and playing stout run defense as well.

Replacing Lawrence won't come easy, and Echoles likely won't have the same impact right away. But his ceiling is very high, and he has a real chance of making a massive impact in the NFL if he can reach his potential.

Reid's mock draft, where the Giants land Echoles with the No. 9 pick, is very likely to change between now and the actual 2027 draft.

But if the Ole Miss defensive tackle did wind up being the Giants' selection in the draft next year, it wouldn't be a bad attempt at replacing the superstar DT one year after shipping him out to Cincinnati.

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