Bengals trade 10th pick to Giants for Pro Bowl DT Lawrence

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Cincinnati Bengals made a blockbuster trade Saturday night, acquiring three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the No. 10 overall draft pick, according to LEX 18 News.

The Bengals signed the 28-year-old Lawrence to a one-year contract extension worth $28 million through the 2028 season, marking an unprecedented move in franchise history. ESPN's Adam Schefter noted this marks the first time since the common draft era began in 1966 that Cincinnati has traded a top-10 pick for an established player.

Lawrence, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound defensive lineman, recorded a career-high nine sacks in 2024 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023. He had requested a trade from the Giants after contract negotiations reached an impasse, according to ESPN reporting.

At a press conference Monday, Lawrence expressed his commitment to the Bengals' defensive turnaround. "There's this burning fire for them to bring me in the way they did and give up what they did, I owe it to them to go out there and dominate on that field," Lawrence said.

Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, said the opportunity to acquire a player of Lawrence's caliber was too significant to pass up. "We are confident in Dexter and can't wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team," Tobin said.

The trade represents Cincinnati's aggressive offseason approach to strengthen a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in several categories last season. The Bengals previously signed edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen during free agency.

The move comes as the Bengals prepare for the 2026 draft without a first-round pick for the first time since 1989. The Giants, meanwhile, now hold both the fifth and 10th overall selections after the trade.