On Saturday, with less than a week before the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Giants traded nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick on Thursday night.
The trade drew mixed reviews. While some observers felt the Giants received less than expected in return, others believed that acquiring a top-10 pick from a down year for the three-time Pro Bowler represented a stunning outcome.
FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano handed out grades to both teams following the blockbuster deal that sent arguably the Giants’ best player to Cincinnati.
The fact that the Giants got a top-10 pick for a player in that situation, heading towards his third NFL contract, is remarkable — especially considering they didn’t have to give anything else up. And the fact that they got it from the Bengals — a team that historically treats draft picks like they’re gold bullions in Fort Knox — makes the deal even more stunning.
Maybe the Giants can’t find a player like Lawrence, but good defensive tackles aren’t a rare commodity. And in the right scheme, with the right players around them, that can be enough.
But the grade here isn’t about what the Giants lost, especially considering that if Lawrence finds his happiness and his old form, he’s a top-three defensive tackle. It’s about the return. A top-10 pick for a team starting over with a new coach, trying to rebuild a program, isn’t just gold. It’s platinum.
Yes, it matters what the Giants do with the pick. But on paper, they’re now getting two of the 10 best players in this draft.
Grade: A-
While the Giants received a high grade on the trade, the Bengals received a B- for the exchange.
It’s worth noting that the last time a team traded its own top-10 pick for an established player came when the Raiders sent their No. 7 overall selection and an additional seventh-round pick to the Vikings in exchange for Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss.
Lawrence, who turns 29 in November, is coming off a down year and was seeking a new contract with two years remaining on his current deal. Both his age and his 2025 performance worked against him in negotiations.
The Giants will now head into Thursday night’s draft armed with the fifth and 10th overall picks and multiple areas of the roster that need upgrading. One of the most pressing needs, however, is filling the significant void left by Lawrence in the middle of the defensive line.
The last time the Giants traded away an elite player of this caliber was when they sent Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for draft compensation. One of those picks ultimately became Dexter Lawrence.
The Giants clearly won that trade, and its benefits continue to pay dividends for the franchise. How Lawrence performs after his down year—and what the Giants do with the No. 10 pick—will go a long way toward determining the winner of this latest deal.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: FOX Sports gives Giants strong grade for return on Dexter Lawrence
Reporting by Tyler Henry, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
