The New York Giants traded three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. The move has sparked mixed reactions among fans and analysts, with some expressing shock and others seeing potential benefits.
Key points
Giants traded Dexter Lawrence to Bengals for 10th overall pick
Lawrence requested a trade amid contract dispute
Mixed reactions from fans and analysts
First trade of a veteran non-quarterback for a Top 10 pick in 21 years
New York GiantsCincinnati Bengals
With less than a week until the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Giants made a blockbuster trade on Saturday, sending three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the draft.
Lawrence had requested a trade from the Giants less than two weeks earlier amid a contract dispute. Although he had two years remaining on the contract he signed after his breakout 2022 season, Lawrence sought a new deal.
Selected 17th overall in 2019 in a pick acquired via the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, Lawrence has spent his entire career with the Giants to this point.
The trade comes despite new head coach John Harbaugh having described Lawrence earlier in the offseason as a cornerstone piece to build around, with many considering him untouchable.
Following the announcement that the Giants were shipping off arguably their best player in exchange for the 10th overall pick in Thursday night’s draft, fans and analysts reacted with a mix of shock, excitement, and disappointment.
Talking to several coaches around the NFL right now ... they are STUNNED the #Giants got what they did for Dexter Lawrence.
All agree: Very good player, but not worth No. 10.
Age, injury and concerns regarding his conditioning pointed out. Also that you need to limit the…
— Connor Hughes (@Connor\_J\_Hughes) April 19, 2026
NYG now have two picks in the top 10. LB Sonny Styles, I was told by a GM, is “cleanest pick in the draft.” Grab him at 5. Will be eventual defensive captain. Spencer Fano at right tackle w the next pick. Select a WR in round two….might as well print playoff tickets Monday.
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) April 19, 2026
The last time a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a Top 10 pick was 21 years ago—when the @Vikings traded Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss to the @Raiders for the seventh overall pick and a seventh rounder.
Q&A
Why did the New York Giants trade Dexter Lawrence?
The Giants traded Dexter Lawrence due to his request for a new contract amid a dispute, despite having two years left on his current deal.
What did the Giants receive in exchange for Dexter Lawrence?
In exchange for Dexter Lawrence, the Giants received the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
How have fans reacted to the trade of Dexter Lawrence?
Fans have had mixed reactions, with some expressing shock and disappointment while others are excited about the potential benefits of acquiring a top draft pick.
What historical significance does this trade have in the NFL?
This trade is notable as it marks the first time in 21 years that a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a Top 10 pick.
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Safe to say the @Giants did well with the return for Dexter Lawrence.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 19, 2026
The Giants traded OBJ for Oshane Ximenes, Jabril Peppers and the 10th pick in the 2026 draft
— Rational Giants Takes (@RationalGMENFan) April 19, 2026
Dexter Lawrence quit on us. It's simple, if you don't want to be a Giant we don't want you here.
— Eli Racks (@IamEliRacks) April 19, 2026
this offseason:
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) April 19, 2026
Giants now have $18.437 million in cap space, more than enough to finish up tweaking the roster and adding the draft picks (for now).
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia\_Traina) April 19, 2026
Gary Myers says he would "not be surprised" if the Giants trade the 10th overall pick for more draft capital. pic.twitter.com/gvg6gLF1Sc
— Big Blue Film Room (@BigBlueFilmRoom) April 19, 2026
There are now 6(!) teams with multiple firsts:
No first: Colts, Bengals, Jaguars, Broncos, Packers, Falcons
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 19, 2026
Dexter Lawrence is better than Pick 10.
Sauce Gardner is better than Pick 16.
Micah Parsons is better than Pick 20.
Travis Hunter is better than Pick 24.
Trent McDuffie is better than Pick 29.
Jaylen Waddle is better than Pick 30.
— Lance Medow (@LanceMedow) April 19, 2026
I believe Joe Schoen is set to become the first GM in NFL history to have 2 separate drafts w/ multiple top-10 picks for the same franchise
He took Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) & Evan Neal (7) in the top-10 back in 2022
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner\_) April 19, 2026
This man, John Harbaugh, has only picked in the top 10 once in his entire 18-year HC career...
He has TWO top 10 picks in this year's draft class. He's targeting Gold Jacket players.
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) April 19, 2026
I’m amazed the Giants were able to get the tenth pick for Dexter Lawrence considering the new contract he required and the down year he just came off after a big injury
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) April 19, 2026
I didn’t want the Giants to trade Dexter Lawrence.
But you can’t argue with the return.
They got a massive hall.
Hats off to Harbaugh, Schoen & everyone else involved.
The Giants are in the driver seat of the first round of the draft.
— Tommy Lugauer (@tommylugauer) April 19, 2026
The last time the Giants drafted twice in the top ten:
Thibs
Evan Neal
Yay picks
— Spartan Mike (NYG) (@SpartanMike96) April 19, 2026
The Giants absolutely fleeced the Bengals.
Cincinnati is a complete dumpster fire.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) April 19, 2026
If you look at the last two Super Bowl winners -- the Eagles destroying Mahomes without blitzing and the Seahawks demolishing the Patriots and playing more than 50% dime -- the common thread is the increasing importance of interior defensive linemen.
Dexter Lawrence is one of…
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL\_DougFarrar) April 19, 2026
Trades are supposed to benefit both teams, this one should. I like it for both sides. #Giants#Bengals
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 19, 2026
Joe Schoen gave up pick 39 and a future 5th for Brian Burns who was not demanding out of Carolina.
He then traded Dexter Lawrence (who was demanding a trade) for the 10th overall pick
Joe Schoen has a lot of faults but the man knows how to get good value in a trade.
— The Entertainah (@TheEntertainah) April 19, 2026
The trade is straight up.
Lawrence for the 10th pick.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 19, 2026
10th overall straight up is a heist
— Bobby Spence (@postcrabcore) April 19, 2026
Dex's departure leaves a massive hole in an already unsettled position but man getting the 10th overall pick is GIANT.
Giants own 5 and 10 in this years draft. Well done#Giants
— LPG - NYG (@LicensePlateGuy) April 19, 2026
Feels like the Giants had no choice but to trade Dexter Lawrence (he didn’t want in on Harbaugh & Dart) but if they want any chance to compete in 2026 they need to dip into their future cap space to sign Calais, Reader and Harris. F it. All of them. Can’t win in NFL with no DTs.
