How Giants will try to replace Dexter Lawrence after seismic trade

What happens to the foundation when the heaviest, strongest slab of concrete is suddenly removed?

That is the mission for the Giants now. Prevent the interior of their defensive line from crumbling.

Before John Harbaugh accepted $100 million to save the Giants as their new head coach, he assessed what he was getting himself into and determined there was enough talent on the roster — especially young Jaxson Dart at quarterback — to turn a losing outfit into a winning operation, as long as enhancements were on the way. He especially was intrigued with the defensive front, anchored by massive Dexter Lawrence in the middle and Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the outside as edge rushers.

Harbaugh not long ago agreed with the assessment that Lawrence is a cornerstone piece but immediately massaged that description a bit. “Not really a cornerstone, he’s more like the middle stone,’’ he said. “He’s right in the middle and he’s a very big stone, a very active, athletic stone. We want him. We need him.”