Bengals Trade No. 10 Pick for 3-Time Pro Bowler Days Before NFL Draft

The NFL draft in Pittsburgh is just days away, with the first round set for Thursday night, and as usual, chaos is already beginning to unfold ahead of one of the league's biggest offseason events.

On Saturday night, in a stunning and unexpected move, the Cincinnati Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Lawrence had been seeking a long-term extension from the Giants, but the two sides remained far apart in negotiations. That ultimately led to him requesting a trade after seven seasons with the organization.

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The deal was a straight player-for-pick swap, and while some may view giving up a top-10 selection for Lawrence as an overpay, the Bengals are clearly operating in win-now mode with Joe Burrow at quarterback.

After three straight seasons missing the postseason - with defensive struggles playing a major role - the move signals a full commitment to adding an impact player who can make an immediate difference.

Lawrence has started 102 of 109 games in his NFL career, totaling 341 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 103 quarterback hits, and 40 tackles for loss. Widely regarded as one of the top interior pass rushers in the league, he now becomes a centerpiece addition to Cincinnati's defensive front.

The Bengals also bolstered their defense in free agency, adding Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Kyle Duggar. As it stands, Cincinnati is set to begin its draft on Friday - unless it makes a move back into the first round - while the New York Giants now hold both the No. 5 and No. 10 overall picks.

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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 9:41 PM.