New York Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence to Bengals for No. 10 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The New York Giants have made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As part of the move, Lawrence reportedly signed a one-year, $28 million contract extension with Cincinnati, keeping him under contract with the Bengals through the 2028 season.
The trade gives the Giants a second first-round pick, joining their own No. 5 selection. With the addition of No. 10, general manager Joe Schoen now holds eight total draft picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Giants Once Again Hold Multiple First-Round Picks
This marks the second straight year the Giants will enter the first round with multiple selections.
Last season, the Giants selected Abdul Carter with the third overall pick before trading back into the first round to draft quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 25. It also marks the third time during Joe Schoen’s tenure that New York has owned multiple first-round selections. In 2022, the Giants used picks No. 5 and No. 7 to select Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal.
Having two top-10 picks gives the Giants tremendous flexibility. Whether they stay put and draft two cornerstone players or package assets to move around the board, this trade dramatically changes the outlook for Thursday night.
Why the Giants Moved On From Dexter Lawrence
According to reports, the Giants and Lawrence reached an impasse during contract negotiations. After seven seasons with the organization, Lawrence requested a trade, and the front office ultimately decided it was time to move on.
There’s no question what Dexter Lawrence has meant to this franchise. At his best, he has been one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in football and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time in New York.
However, he’s also coming off the least productive season of his recent career. His pass-rush win rate dropped to 8.4%, and he finished the year with just half a sack. Those numbers don’t tell the entire story of his impact, but they certainly don’t strengthen the case for another massive contract.
My Take
I’ll be honest, I’m sad to see Dexter Lawrence leave.
For years, he was one of my favorite players on this team and someone you could count on every Sunday. When he was at his peak, he completely changed games from the interior of the defensive line.
That said, this situation is difficult to ignore. Holding out for more money after your worst season in years, especially after recently signing a lucrative contract, is a tough look. I understand players wanting to maximize their value, but timing matters, and this one surprised me.
From the Giants’ perspective, turning that situation into the 10th overall pick is hard to criticize. It gives them another opportunity to add a young, impact player while continuing to build around Jaxson Dart and reshape the roster under John Harbaugh.
It’s the end of an era, but it could also be the move that helps define the Giants’ future.
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