Bengals Acquire 3-Time Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence from Giants

Cincinnati sends 10th overall pick to New York in blockbuster trade

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:17am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a powerful defensive tackle making a tackle, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange conveying the raw energy and physicality of the play.The Bengals' acquisition of star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence signals a bold move to fortify their defensive front.NYC Today

The Cincinnati Bengals have acquired 3-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The trade marks a major move for the Bengals as they look to bolster their defensive line ahead of the upcoming season.

Why it matters

The Bengals have been seeking to upgrade their defensive front, and landing a proven talent like Lawrence should significantly improve their run defense and pass rush. For the Giants, the trade allows them to acquire a high draft pick as they continue their rebuilding efforts.

The details

Under the terms of the deal, the Bengals will send the 10th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Giants in exchange for Lawrence, a 27-year-old defensive tackle who has made the Pro Bowl in 3 of his first 5 NFL seasons. The Giants selected Lawrence with the 17th overall pick in the 2019 draft, and he has emerged as one of the league's premier interior defensive linemen.

  • The trade was announced on April 19, 2026.

The players

Dexter Lawrence

A 3-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle who has spent his first 5 NFL seasons with the New York Giants.

Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL team that is acquiring Dexter Lawrence in a trade with the New York Giants.

New York Giants

The NFL team that is trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Dexter Lawrence is one of the best young defensive tackles in the league, and we're thrilled to add him to our roster as we look to take the next step as a team.”

— Mike Brown, Owner, Cincinnati Bengals

“This trade allows us to acquire a valuable draft pick as we continue to build for the future. Dexter is a tremendous player, but we felt this was the best move for our organization at this time.”

— Joe Schoen, General Manager, New York Giants

What’s next

The Bengals will look to integrate Lawrence into their defensive scheme as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season, while the Giants will now hold the 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft as they continue their rebuilding efforts.

The takeaway

This trade represents a significant move for both the Bengals and Giants, with Cincinnati acquiring a proven defensive star to bolster their roster, while New York adds a valuable draft pick as they work to return to contention in the NFC East.