Giants trade Dexter Lawrence to Bengals in massive deal that includes No. 10 overall pick, per report

New York now holds two picks in the top 10 of the draft following this blockbuster

New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence requested a trade earlier this month after his camp reached an impasse with the franchise regarding a new contract. The Cincinnati Bengals were quick to pounce, as they have agreed to trade the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for Lawrence, per NFL Media. Lawrence will receive the new contract he's after in Cincinnati, while the Giants now hold two picks in the top 10 of the draft.

Lawrence, a two-time Second Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, is regarded as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the NFL. However, he's coming off arguably the worst season of his NFL career, recording 31 tackles and just half a sack in 17 games played. That was a reason the Giants did not want to give Lawrence a massive raise, per CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.

The Bengals ranked 31st in total defense (380.9 total yards allowed per game), and No. 30 in scoring defense (28.9 points allowed per game). They allowed 27 points and 350 total yards over eight straight games, which had previously never been done in NFL history, according to CBS Sports Research. Cincinnati has drafted 62 defensive players from 2011-25. None have made a Pro Bowl. So, the Bengals attempted to revamp the defense in free agency this offseason, adding pass rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, and now, Lawrence.

Thanks to this trade, the Giants hold selections at No. 5 overall and No. 10 overall. They will have the opportunity to land two blue-chip players that will ensure the John Harbaugh era gets off to a hot start. 

This is a developing story.