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Dexter Lawrence trade grades: Who won blockbuster Giants-Bengals deal?
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- Dexter Lawrence trade grades: Who won blockbuster Giants-Bengals deal?
The 2026 NFL Draft isn't five full days away, but its outlook shifted seismically on the evening of April 18.
The New York Giants agreed to trade three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals and got the tenth overall selection in return, giving the G-Men two picks in the top 10. New York is also scheduled to choose fifth overall.
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Two people with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the trade to USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis and Tyler Dragon. The people requested anonymity because the move had not yet officially finalized.
However Lawrence, aka "Sexy Dexy," passed a physical in Cincinnati on Sunday and also agreed to a one-year, $28 million extension, according to his representatives.
This will be the first time since 2022 that the Giants have had two selections in the top 10. (They chose OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth overall that year and OL Evan Neal seventh -- though neither player, chosen by GM Joe Schoen, has produced anticipated returns.) New York also enlisted two players in Round 1 last year, drafting pass rusher Abdul Carter third overall before dealing back into the first round to get quarterback Jaxson Dart in the 25th spot.
What does the Dexter Lawrence trade mean for the Giants?
Major draft firepower and flexibility for a rebooting organization that has one playoff victory since it won Super Bowl 46 to cap the 2011 season. Unlike the 2027 draft that is perceived to be packed with talent, this year's might only have a dozen or so top-tier prospects − and the Giants now stand to get a pair in Year 1 under newly hired coach John Harbaugh. There doesn't appear to be a player of Lawrence's caliber available, but there are some quality defensive linemen Harbaugh and Schoen could target in the second round with the 37th overall selection. A receiver could be in order at No. 5 or No. 10 given the departure of Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and Malik Nabers ' recovery from ACL and meniscus injuries. "Malik is going to be more into training camp and closer to the season," Harbaugh said of his recovery timeline earlier this month.
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Giants 7-round NFL mock draft: Dexter Lawrence trade leads to big change
What does the Dexter Lawrence trade mean for the Bengals?
They're certainly hoping a return to the AFC's elite ranks − and at a time when Cincy is the only AFC North team without a first-year head coach. The Bengals lost Super Bowl 56 to cap the 2021 season and fell short in the AFC championship game the next year but have not been back to the playoffs since. "The (championship) window is my whole career," QB Joe Burrow said at the time, but he has not yet been able to lead the 58-year-old franchise to its first Lombardi Trophy.
A Pro Bowler from 2022 through 2024, Lawrence had 21 sacks and 151 quarterback pressures over that period, per Next Gen Stats. But his production tailed off dramatically last season, when he had 26 pressures and a half-sack. However, Lawrence should be motivated by the move and the new money that's coming to him. And though Cincinnati just shed its own disgruntled star defender, Trey Hendrickson signing with the AFC North Baltimore Ravens during free agency, the Bengals have nicely diversified by adding several veteran defenders this offseason − including pass rusher Boye Mafe , DT Jonathan Allen and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger . If the revamped unit can merely hold opponents to 27 points while Burrow and Co. go off for 35, then this team should be in the mix to reach Super Bowl 61.
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Bengals 7-round mock draft: Blockbuster trade shakes up Cincinnati's strategy
Dexter Lawrence contract details
His financial situation had been a source of consternation with the Giants for a few years. Unhappy with the four-year, $87.5 million pact, which ran through the 2027 season, he'd been scheduled to continue playing on, Lawrence had requested a trade from the Giants earlier this month . Originally due $39.5 million over the next two years, Lawrence's new bump ties him to Cincinnati through the 2028 campaign. And the raise was probably warranted given the league's top interior defensive linemen now average north of $25 million annually.
Dexter Lawrence trade grades
Cincinnati Bengals : A team that's finished second to last league-wide in total defense in two of the past three seasons (and 25th overall in 2024) continues to get a major remake on that side of the ball. The acquisition of Lawrence, who's just 28, comes at a time when the team seems to have as good a shot as any to win its division − especially with Burrow in his prime. And given how weak the 2026 draft seems to be on top-tier talent, and especially so at defensive tackle, this seems like a calculated risk that could pay off handsomely − despite its cost in draft capital and actual funds. Lawrence will obviously need to play better than he did in 2025. Grade: B
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New York Giants :A team clearly in a rebuild posture − even if expectations have been significantly raised after the arrival of Harbaugh − now has two more assets with which to restock the roster and, perhaps, help Dart's development directly. Lawrence's departure leaves a void that will need to be addressed, but Harbaugh and Schoen knew a defense that ranked 28th with Lawrence in 2025 would need work. Grade: B+
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dexter Lawrence trade grades for Giants, Bengals deal before NFL draft
