Instant analysis, grade for Bengals’ blockbuster Dexter Lawrence trade
TL;DR
The Cincinnati Bengals traded their 10th overall pick to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, marking a bold shift in their strategy. This move signals the team's commitment to supporting quarterback Joe Burrow and improving their roster.
Key points
- Bengals traded 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence
- Trade marks a shift from Bengals' conservative strategy
- Move aims to support quarterback Joe Burrow
Mentioned in this story
The Cincinnati Bengals are all-in. And they’re all the way out of their comfort zone.
Those Bengals pulled off a stunner of a trade just a few days before the NFL draft, sending the 10th overall pick in the order to the New York Giants in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The stunner of a move marks a dramatic departure from the Bengals’ normally conservative shell. It’s a full embrace of going all-in and showing Joe Burrow that the team, indeed, will right the wrongs of the past.
Namely, the poor drafting.
And that’s why the trade gets an A+ right now.
Lawrence is an elite player at 28 years old in the middle of his prime. He’s a star. A foundational block who helps young edge rushers like Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy get free. He’s the block of granite who allows young linebackers like Demetrius Knight to actually make plays.
But it goes beyond that. It’s a signal to Burrow, the players and the fans that they’re serious. And if the drafting has been so horrendous as of late, why not burn the No. 10 pick go get a superstar?
It helps that this is a weak draft. Yes, it was easy to fall in love with names like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs.
But the odds they would actually fall to the Bengals were slim. Ponder this note from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “I was on the phone with a GM less than an hour ago running through top 10 scenarios. The way we had it going, we both said, “the bengals are screwed.” Well, not anymore. This trade makes a ton of sense for them.”
Not anymore, indeed.
The Bengals’ problems on the interior were massive. BJ Hill had injury problems last year. TJ Slaton felt like a cut candidate. Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson haven’t panned out. Jonathan Allen was a 31-year-old Band-Aid aimed at keeping everyone fresh, at least.
Lawrence? He’s a force amplifier who changes the entire complexion of the unit.
And the trade? A generational move by the Bengals, the most uncharacteristic thing they’ve ever done.
Hard to complain about that.
Grade: A+
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Instant analysis, grade for Bengals’ blockbuster Dexter Lawrence trade
Q&A
What did the Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals traded their 10th overall pick in the NFL draft to the New York Giants in exchange for Dexter Lawrence.
Why did the Bengals decide to trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals aimed to support quarterback Joe Burrow and address past drafting issues by acquiring a proven defensive player.
How does the Dexter Lawrence trade impact the Bengals' draft strategy?
The trade indicates a shift from the Bengals' conservative approach, allowing them to focus on immediate roster improvement rather than draft picks.
