Dexter Lawrence is the single-most important player on the Cincinnati Bengals defense!
John Sheeran breaks down why ESPN's C grade for the Bengals' offseason may have overlooked one of the team's biggest upgrades: the addition of All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. From transforming the run defense to creating opportunities for the rest of the defensive front, Lawrence could end up being the move that changes Cincinnati's entire defense in 2026.
Video Transcript
Dexter Lawrence at his peak is even better and even tougher to stop because while Lawrence can command a double team in the run game, and he can hold his gaps, and he can two gap, and he can clear up space for linebackers, he is a dominant interior pass rusher.
In fact, now that Aaron Donald is out of the league, here's hoping that's still the case in when September comes around, he is probably the best overall interior pass rusher be- Because he doesn't just beat individual blockers, he beats double teams at an insane rate compared to the rate of which he is double teamed.
He's always going to get double teamed when he's just lined up on the head of the center, right?
There's always gonna be a guard that's gonna help out the center in that matchup because he's 6'4", 340, 350 pounds who can move like a guy who's 50 pounds lighter.
He has immense strength and explosion, and just such natural power that it honestly doesn't even matter if he misses his mark with his hands.
He is going to generate push in the pocket.
His pass rushing production as a nose tackle is incredible.
But when he's healthy and he's playing even remotely close to his peak ability, everybody else on his defensive line is going to eat.
