Bengals' Dexter Lawrence Trade Could Be ‘Disastrous,' Says ESPN Analyst

The Cincinnati Bengals shocked the NFL world when they traded the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the New York Giants in a rare straight-up trade for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Some applauded the deal as an all-in move to fortify a defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season, while others saw it as a desperate overpay for an aging defensive veteran approaching 30 (Marshall turns 29 in November).

ESPN's Bill Barnwell isn't a fan of the trade either, and he recently named the Lawrence trade as the Bengals' biggest disappointment of the offseason.

"I’m nervous that Lawrence is coming off his worst season as a pro as part of a defense that was dismal against the run in New York," Barnwell wrote. "And though that can partially be chalked up to an elbow injury, Lawrence’s 2024 season was ended by that same elbow issue. Given how much they’re spending on their big three on offense (Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) … the Bengals need cost-controlled talent to make their roster construction work.

"Giving up the No. 10 pick to get a proven quantity like Lawrence feels like a win for Bengals fans who are sick of seeing the team whiff on first-round picks. But is it enough to propel the Bengals forward into Super Bowl contention? And if Lawrence isn’t as known of a quantity as it seems, this deal could be disastrous for Cincinnati."

With that 10th pick, the Giants selected Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, who was considered by some scouts to be the top OT in the draft class.

Tackle has also been a position of need for the Bengals for quite some time, and some would argue that Maiugoa would’ve been a better selection than Lawrence. If Maiugoa goes on to be a Pro Bowler and Lawrence flops, the Bengals might not live down this trade for a while.

Lawrence is coming off the worst statistical season of his career, in which he totaled 34 pressures, 27 hurries, 31 tackles, seven QB hits, 0.5 sacks, and one interception.

But when he's on his A-game, he's one of the best defensive tackles and one of the more disruptive lineman in the league.

Lawrence is just one year removed from posting a career-high nine sacks, and given the underwhelming production from Cincinnati's defensive tackle group - B.J. Hill, T.J. Slayton Jr., Kris Jenkins Jr., and McKinley Jackson - Lawrence's presence could be the boost the Bengals defense needs.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 8:58 PM.