If you are an incredibly kind person, you might call the Cincinnati Bengals trading the No. 10 pick for Dexter Lawrence a bold move. A more accurate way to describe the trade would be reckless and desperate. While Lawrence isn't a fantastic player who fills a clear void for the Bengals, that's a steep price to pay for a defensive tackle, and it's a price that nobody else was going to match.
In the wake of Lawrence's trade request, the consensus opinion was that the New York Giants would be lucky to get a late first-round pick in exchange for the 28-year-old DT. Thanks to the Bengals, the Giants got a whole lot more.
To put this move into perspective, the last time a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a top 10 pick was 21 years ago, and that was Randy freaking Moss. So yeah, it's safe to say the Bengals overpaid for Sexy Dexy.
The last time a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a Top 10 pick was 21 years ago—when the @Vikings traded Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss to the @Raiders for the seventh overall pick and a seventh rounder.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 19, 2026
Safe to say the @Giants did well with the return for Dexter Lawrence.
Shortly after the move, Cincinnati agreed to a one-year extension with Lawrence, who will now be under contract for three years. Given the premium draft capital the Bengals sacrificed, it's questionable that this isn't a longer-term investment. Baltimore Ravens fans should be thrilled (and amused) that their division rivals made such a risky gamble.
Baltimore Ravens fans should be delighted by the Cincinnati Bengals' risky trade
In general, the Bengals haven't been a model organization. They have ignored crucial aspects of team building, including defense and offensive line, over the past several years. This, in turn, has led the franchise to miss the playoffs in three straight years. Additionally, the Bengals have controversially held onto head coach Zac Taylor despite their recent shortcomings.
Sure, this move should help the Bengals' bottom-three defense improve. Regardless, it also hurts the Bengals' future, and it certainly doesn't close the gap between them and the Ravens. Even after this move, Cincinnati is far from a Super Bowl-level team which makes their thought process all the more questionable. Cincinnati's offensive line remains a massive weakness and one that could have easily been addressed with the No. 10 pick -- womp womp.
The Ravens still have some holes to fill in the draft, but by all accounts, they improved this season and will enter the season as division favorites. And hey, that's why you keep your first-round pick, right?
Ironically, the Ravens' biggest move this offseason was signing former Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, after they backed out of trading two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby. Hendrickson was only available in free agency due to the Bengals poor decision-making last summer.Â
All in all, while the Bengals improved with this trade, Ravens fans should be delighted that their rivals risked their future and that Baltimore still has a better roster.
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