Dexter Lawrence trade! NY Giants send Lawrence to Bengals for 10th pick in NFL Draft

Dexter Lawrence | Getty Images The New York Giants are sending defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals a source confirmed to Big Blue View on Saturday night. The deal means the Giants now have picks 5 and 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday night. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated , the Giants and Bengals had been discussing a Lawrence trade for the past two weeks.

The Bengals wanted an impact defender with the 10th pick. The 28-year-old Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowler and perhaps the best nose tackle in the NFL, gives them that. This from Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports largely summarizes why a deal ended up happening: The Giants tried hard to make it work with Dexter Lawrence, a source said, but they weren’t going to meet his contract demands off a bad season.

Plus, Lawrence’s unhappiness and frustration had become deep with all the losing. He wanted out. And the Giants got a great deal.

A report earlier on Saturday had indicated the Giants were “doing everything we can” to keep the 2019 first-round pick, but that Lawrence had drawn “a line in the sand” financially and was unwilling to budge. There were also reports that Lawrence was simply no longer happy being with the Giants. So, both sides get what they want.