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Analyst says Bengals need sacks to justify Dexter Lawrence trade
TL;DR
The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, but analysts question the move due to his low sack numbers. Emmanuel Acho argues that elite pass rushers justify such trades, and Lawrence's performance raises concerns.
Key points
- Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle
- Lawrence had only 0.5 sacks in 2025, down from 9.5 the year before
- Analyst Emmanuel Acho questions the trade's justification
BengalsGiantsDexter LawrenceAaron Donald
Analyst says Bengals need sacks to justify Dexter Lawrence trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bengals get a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. Giants get the No. 10 pick back. Emmanuel Acho wasn't buying it.
"You don’t trade a defensive tackle for a first-round pick unless they are an elite pass rusher. Aaron Donald… JJ Watt… or Fletcher Cox in his time, pass rusher… a Jalen Carter pass rusher… You don’t trade a top 10 overall pick who you have the rights for, cheap in the next five years, or a defensive tackle unless they can give 10+ sacks. Dexter Lawrence half a sack last year, 9.5 the year before… But to me, I don’t think Dexter Lawrence was worth the top 10 overall pick, but he’s nice, make no mistake." Acho said.
Lawrence posted just 0.5 sacks in 2025, down from nine the prior year.
He played through an elbow injury all season, but that's still the version the Bengals attached a top-10 pick and $28 million to. The extension runs through 2028.
Lawrence told reporters Sunday he knows what Cincinnati gave up and doesn't take it lightly. Wanting to earn it and actually earning it in games are different things.
Q&A
Why did the Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals aimed to strengthen their defense by acquiring Dexter Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
What are Dexter Lawrence's sack numbers?
Dexter Lawrence recorded only 0.5 sacks in 2025, a significant drop from 9.5 sacks the previous year.
What did the Giants receive in the trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Giants received the No. 10 pick in the draft as part of the trade for Dexter Lawrence.
