After seven years playing in blue, DL Dexter Lawrence has been traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
This will be a massive mistake for the Bengals, says Rant Sport writer Joshua Marshall, who takes a look at how the New York Giants may benefit more from the Dexter Lawrence trade.
After tough contract negotiations between Lawrence and the Giants, the Bengals made an almost irresistible offer for the nose tackle, trading their 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Bengals, with a pro bowl-level offence featuring Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, famously struggled on defence, leading Burrow to question his future with the team.
How does this benefit the Giants?
If you were to ask Giants fans or even look at mock drafts, quite a few names would pop up: Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Jeremiyah Love or even Jordyn Tyson.
Now the whole board has changed. Now with the fifth and 10th picks, this opens up the Giants to take and amp up their team even more.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: NFL opinion: Why the New York Giants shouldn’t draft Jeremiyah Love
With a now even more promising future for Metlife, new head coach John Harborough is not allowing the “Scars” of 2025 to shape the future of the franchise.
Yahoo Sports reports the trade deal as the Giants “fleecing” the Bengals, as well as an unnamed NFC executive telling Jori Epstein: “The price looks especially bonkers.. they didn’t believe the Giants could get more than a second-round pick for Lawrence.”
With the future looking bright now for the Big Blue, “Sexy” Dexy, a 2x second team All-Pro (2022,2023), 3x Pro Bowl (2022-2024), will be remembered for his time at Metlife.
Not all bad for the Bengals
The Bengals have had a predominant struggle for the past few seasons in their defence, so adding Dexter Lawrence will provide a massive boost for them.
Being a highly dominant D linemen having a total of 30.5 sacks across his career, he has shown a constant threat as a nose tackle.
This could very well be the setting stone for the Bengals franchise where the change can finally begin and could respark that chance to return to the Super Bowl.
But this has come at a cost, is he worth a 10th overall pick?
Only time will tell.
