NFL execs reveal why Bengals didn't overpay in trade for Dexter Lawrence

NFL execs reveal why Bengals didn't overpay in trade for Dexter Lawrence originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals swung a massive trade over the weekend with the New York Giants, sending the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for Dexter Lawrence.

Adding a defensive tackle like Lawrence will be a big help for the defense. But, the 10th pick in the draft is a lot to give up for a player, especially since they had to extend him to a $28 million deal to bump up his contract to three-years, $70 million.

However, ESPN's Adam Schefter shared some insight from NFL executives that revealed why this trade wasn't an overpay for the Bengals.

Why Bengals didn't overpay in Dexter Lawrence trade

"For starters, the defensive tackle group in this year's draft is not considered strong," Schefter writes. "But one general manager said the defensive tackles in the next two drafts are sub-standard."

With the weaker defensive tackle class this year, there was ample reason for the Bengals to spend a good amount on one of the better players at the position in a trade.

But, factoring in that the 2027 draft class at defensive tackle isn't great either, according to this anonymous general manager, then this trade begins to make even more sense.

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