On Saturday night, just days before the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a shocking trade with major implications for several NFL teams. The New York Giants sent three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick. Now, the Giants hold the No. 5 and No. 10 overall picks in the first round of the draft.

Nevermind that Cincinnati significantly overpaid for a very good player, but now the Giants have two top-10 picks, which could significantly impact what their NFC East rival, the Washington Commanders, do. Washington holds the No. 7 overall pick and has been linked to most of the same players as New York in various mock drafts.

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Something else to note, another NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys, holds the No. 12 overall pick and has been rumored as a trade-up candidate.

Four players have mostly been linked to the Giants at No. 4 overall: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State S Caleb Downs, Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love and Miami OL Frances Mauigoa. The Commanders have been linked to Styles, Downs and Love. Washington has also been linked to Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. and LSU CB Mansoor Delane.

Before Saturday’s trade, the Giants were choosing one of these players. Now, by adding the 10th overall pick, New York can potentially add two of the aforementioned players. Additionally, a new name entered the top-10 talk over the past week: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson. Tyson’s talent was never in question; it’s his health. On Friday, he received a clean bill of health ahead of this week’s draft. The Giants reportedly love Tyson and the Commanders have met with him multiple times.

What if both teams prefer Tyson? If New York really wants Tyson, it would have to take him at No. 5 to ensure that Washington doesn’t select him. It feels probable that Tyson doesn’t make it to No. 10 after his Friday workout. So, could the Giants opt to select Tyson at No. 5, then look to take whoever is left among Styles, Downs, or Mauigoa at No. 10? They could also pivot to Utah OL Spencer Fano, or Penn State OL Vega Ioane if determined to come away with a starting offensive lineman.

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One thing we do know, the Giants aren’t getting Love at No. 10 — heck, they may not even get him at No. 4. The Commanders reportedly love the Notre Dame star, but it feels almost impossible that he makes it to No. 7 now.

Saturday’s big trade could impact Washington. However, the Commanders remain in an excellent position. And Tyson’s rise could help them land another impact player if he makes his way into the top six. It doesn’t seem like the Giants would take two players on the same side of the ball in the top 10. So, whatever New York does at No. 5 will almost certainly impact Washington’s decision at No. 7.

We are only four days away from the first round, and the first big trade has occurred. In the top five, the Cardinals (No. 3) and the Titans (No. 4) reportedly want to move down, with the Cowboys (Nos. 12 & 20) and the Chiefs (Nos. 9 & 29) often mentioned as possible trade partners.

This year’s first round is shaping up to be one of the most fun in recent years due to its unpredictability.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: How Giants’ big trade impacts 2026 NFL Draft