Giants–Bengals Trade Impact

Dexter Lawrence trade analysis

One week before the NFL Draft, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals have shaken things up a bit. It’s been a quiet week or two for the league since the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini rumors took the NFL world by storm, so this was some welcome news. We can actually discuss football again.

The New York Giants are sending former 2x All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (pending physical) to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th pick in the upcoming draft.

Here are my thoughts on the impact for each team this season.

New York Giants

John Harbaugh makes a statement here with this trade. He’s avoiding all possible drama. Lawrence wanted out and requested a trade, so instead of things getting messy, they moved on quickly.

With a young core on offense, this move makes sense to get younger on the defensive side so the team can grow together. Yes, Dexter is a great talent, but he will be 29 in November. There are still some great years ahead if he can regain his form after only registering one half sack last season, but by the time the rest of the team is ready to compete, he could be past his prime.

As far as this season goes, they are definitely worse than they were before the trade. You aren’t going to replace an All-Pro talent right away. The 10th pick in the draft is valuable, but it’s still a crapshoot whether any player selected will have an impact at all, let alone become an All-Pro.

This is a move for the future and to remove a player who wasn’t happy, so it’s still a good decision for the team. Until we see what they do with the 10th pick, we won’t know the true value of the trade.

Grade B-

Cincinnati Bengals

I would say Zac Taylor is on his last legs as the Bengals’ head coach. They are in win now mode and must do everything they can to improve this historically bad defense. Players have to be upset about how the franchise has been performing. Not too long ago, this team was in the Super Bowl, so they know what they are capable of.

With an elite offense, it all depends on whether the defense can hold up its end of the bargain.

An offseason full of roster changes on the defensive side had to make people feel hopeful, but none were as bold as this trade for Lawrence, and the impact could be huge. After making a ton of questionable decisions dealing with the Trey Hendrickson situation over the years, perhaps this signals a change in mindset for the Bengals.

They would not have been able to draft any player at 10 who could make the same immediate impact this season that Lawrence can. Is it enough to get them back to the big game? Only time will tell. But it feels good to swing for the fences rather than sit on your hands and be hesitant.

I’m loving this move for the Bengals. The defense is a massive issue, and they are addressing it head on.

Grade A