The New York Giants made a final decision on All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence‘s trade request on Saturday night, as they sent him to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There’s no doubt that the Giants are thrilled with the return, as they now have two top-10 picks in the upcoming draft.
The immediate reaction from fans when they saw the terms of the Lawrence trade was surprise, as nobody figured the Bengals would be willing to give up one of the top selections in the draft for him. That group reportedly included New York’s brass, as a team insider revealed that they were not expecting to land such a high draft pick in exchange for Lawrence.
Giants’ Immediate Reaction to Dexter Lawrence Trade, Revealed
After getting selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lawrence spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Giants. During that time, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and a pair of All-Pro Second Team honors, as he established himself as one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the league.
The 2025 campaign was a bit of a step back for Lawrence, as he went from racking up a career-high nine sacks in just 12 games in 2024 to picking up just 0.5 sacks in 17 games. Lawrence still made an impact at the heart of New York’s defensive line, as he helped open things up for Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but he struggled to get to the quarterback after excelling in that department earlier in his career.
With Lawrence looking for a new contract, the Giants opted to move on from him due to concerns about his performance in 2025. They found a willing suitor in the Bengals, who parted with their first-round pick in exchange for the star defender. New York made it clear it wanted a first-round pick in any deal for Lawrence, but according to Giants’ insider Jordan Raanan of ESPN, even they were “surprised” to have landed the No. 10 overall pick in this trade.
“Dexter Lawrence was open to a fresh start dating back to the beginning of last year, per sources,” Raanan reported in a post on X. “The Giants didn’t want to trade him. They also didn’t expect to get offered a Top 10 pick. That surprised even them and here we are.”
Giants Poised to Make a Pair of Big Additions in 2026 NFL Draft
GettyFormer New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence
The Giants now have the No. 5 and No. 10 picks in the 2026 draft, which gives the front office the ability to add a pair of immediate contributors to a roster that is already stocked full of young talent. Sometimes, good trades just fall into your lap, and this is a prime example of why general managers are always listening to trade offers for their players.
Lawrence’s departure leaves a gaping hole at the center of New York’s defensive line, but it now has more than enough draft capital in order to find a proper replacement moving forward. With two top-10 picks at their disposal, the Giants have suddenly become the most intriguing team across the league ahead of the draft.
Giants Were ‘Surprised’ by Bengals Top 10 Pick Dexter Lawrence Trade Offer: Insider