Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence, Shake Up NFL Draft Plans

Cowboys hold No. 12 pick, could target defense or move up for top prospect

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:42am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players, team logos, and draft board elements in a chaotic, abstract composition.The Giants' trade of star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has set off a chain reaction of draft strategy shifts across the league.NYC Today

The New York Giants have traded star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in a blockbuster move, shaking up their NFL Draft plans. The Cowboys hold the No. 12 pick and could target defense or look to move up for a higher-rated player in the draft.

Why it matters

This trade of a key Giants defensive player will significantly impact both teams' draft strategies as they look to improve their rosters for the upcoming season. The Cowboys' decision at No. 12 could set off a chain reaction of picks and trades throughout the first round.

The details

The Giants have traded Dexter Lawrence, their 2019 first-round pick, to the Cincinnati Bengals in a major move that will affect both teams' draft plans. The Cowboys hold the No. 12 overall pick and could use it to target a defensive player or potentially move up to select a higher-rated prospect.

  • The trade was completed on April 18, 2026.

The players

Dexter Lawrence

A defensive tackle drafted by the New York Giants in the first round in 2019, who has been a key part of their defensive line.

New York Giants

The NFL team based in New York that has made a major trade of one of their star defensive players.

Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL team that has acquired Dexter Lawrence in a trade with the New York Giants.

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL team that holds the 12th overall pick in the upcoming draft and will need to determine their strategy based on the Giants-Bengals trade.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will now need to decide whether to use the No. 12 pick on a defensive player or potentially trade up to select a higher-rated prospect in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The takeaway

This blockbuster trade of Dexter Lawrence from the Giants to the Bengals has significantly altered the landscape of the upcoming NFL Draft, as teams like the Cowboys must now reevaluate their draft plans and strategies based on this major move.