The Bengals Just Changed Everything With the Dexter Lawrence Trade

The Cincinnati Bengals made a huge move days before the 2026 NFL Draft, sending the 10th overall pick to the New York Giants for their star defensive tackle, Dexter Lawrence.

This is a huge deal for both sides. The Giants get another top ten pick in this year's class, while the Bengals get one of the best interior defensive linemen of all time to improve their defensive line. Today, we'll break down this trade and what it means for the Bengals and the Giants.

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The Bengals are Being AGGRESSIVE

The Cincinnati Bengals trading a top ten pick for Dexter Lawrence, who's 28 years old and coming off his worst season in years, may seem like a strange decision on the surface. However, there are a few reasons why the Bengals likely decided to make an aggressive move like this.

First off, I think the Bengals saw the writing on the wall and realized that some of the top defenders in the draft (Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain) are not going to fall to the No. 10 pick. This may happen, but as the draft gets closer, it seems more likely that both guys will be off the board within the first eight picks. This is my perspective after doing a lot of research on what national insiders and team beat writers are reporting.

This gives the Bengals a reason to trade the No. 10 pick if they do not believe they could get a prospect who's worth the value of this selection.

On top of this, the Bengals had a really bad defensive line prior to this trade, and their pass rush and run defense were both below average in 2025. Last season, the Bengals had pass rush and run stop win rates of 29%, according to ESPN. They had the worst pass-block win rate in the league, and their run-block win rate ranked just 23rd.

Of course, the Bengals tried to fix this in free agency by signing Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, but I'm not the biggest fan of those players. I don't think either of them is good enough as a pass rusher or run defender to fix the Bengals' issues in this area because they haven't been that productive over the last few seasons.

With this in mind, it's obvious why the Bengals would be interested in a player like Dexter Lawrence. Unfortunately, Lawrence had his worst season in years in 2025, as he had the fewest sacks and run stops in his entire career. However, if we zoom out and look at his production over the last few years, it's clear that he is a dominant player.

His pass-rushing ability has never wavered as he's had 30+ pressures in each of the last two years. He was even rushing the passer at a high level in 2025, ranking 6th in pass rush win rate against true pass sets among interior defensive linemen. In 2024, PFF viewed him as a great run defender, sporting a PFF run defense grade of 83.8, the second-best mark in the league. He's done this while playing nose tackle, making him a unique and special player.

If Dexter Lawrence can win pass-rush reps at a high rate while also helping out in the run game, this could be a beneficial trade for the Bengals. Unfortunately, I think there are reasons to be pessimistic about this move.

Although Lawrence has positive statistical indicators from the last few years, there's no denying that he's not the same player he was 3-4 years ago. From 2022-2023, he put up back-to-back seasons with a PFF grade of 90+, 60+ pressures, and 30+ total stops. He was unstoppable during these two seasons, and he simply isn't playing at the same level now.

He's taken a step back, and that makes sense because his 2022 and 2023 seasons are the best ever for a nose tackle. I just want people to be aware that 2026 Dexter Lawrence is a different player than 2022 Dexter Lawrence. Injuries and aging have started to affect his play.

We also have to consider the value of the No. 10 pick to properly evaluate this trade.

This year, the No. 10 pick is getting a contract worth $29,611,072, according to Spotrac. Dexter Lawrence's current contract is worth twice that much in terms of guaranteed money. If the Bengals were to stay at No. 10. Below is where the rookie's contract would rank in the NFL, depending on what position the Bengals drafted.

EDGE: 28th

CB: 25th

OT: 31st

S: 11th

IOL: 14th

The No. 10 pick is really valuable. You can draft a premium position with that pick, and even if that player is the 20th-best player at their position, your team is getting positive value out of that selection. The Bengals wouldn't get the same value if they drafted a safety or interior offensive lineman at No. 10, but the value of this pick is still very good.

Of course, the Bengals likely didn't love the prospects they expected to be available at No. 10. I get that, but does that mean it's a good idea to trade the pick for a 28-year-old interior defensive lineman who's a great pass rusher but is 28-years-old, has some injury issues, and is being paid way more than your rookie would? I'm not sure.

I get why the Bengals made this trade, and I am a Dexter Lawrence fan, but I think the team could easily lose value as a result. The Bengals really needed to get more draft capital in this deal.

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Joe Schoen and the Giants Hit a Homerun

Sound the alarm, people! Joe Schoen just did something really smart.

After contract negotiations stalled between the Giants and Dexter Lawrence, the defensive tackle requested a trade and skipped team workouts. His time in New York was over, and because of the context of the failed contract negotiations and Lawrence's trade request, the Giants should've had little leverage in trade negotiations.

Obviously, the Bengals were all-in on making a big swing, so the giants didn't just get a first-round pick; they got a second top-ten pick to work with.

This is massive for the Giants. Getting two swings inside the top ten can absolutely change a franchise. This opens up their cap space while also giving them a chance to add a premium position on a very favorable contract. Getting this opportunity by trading a player who didn't even want to be on your team is incredible work. Joe Schoen, I am so proud of you.

Now, who are the Giants going to target with their two first-round picks? At No. 5, it sounds like they are likely choosing between Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs. I'm betting they take Styles and pray that Downs falls to No. 10 while also being ok if Downs doesn't make it.

If Downs doesn't fall to No. 10, the Giants reportedly have a lot of interest in Jordyn Tyson, who would give Jaxson Dart another target to work with. Regardless, I think this is a great trade for the Giants, and although they are losing a uniquely gifted player, I think they could get a lot of value out of this transaction.