Traded for the 10th overall pick, Dexter Lawrence is aiming to dominate and finally win the Super Bowl with the Cincinati Bengals.
Dexter Lawrence opens the 2026 season with the Cincinnati Bengals after a seven-year run with the New York Giants, where he became the focal point of their defensive front. Drafted 17th overall in 2019, Lawrence handled a heavy workload at nose and 3-technique, regularly drawing double teams and setting the interior.
Lawrence had some of his most productive seasons during his final years in New York. In 2022, Lawrence posted 35 tackles, 33 assists (68 total), 7.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits. He followed with 32 tackles, 21 assists (53 total) and 4.5 sacks in 16 games in 2023, remaining a high-volume interior rusher and establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive defensive tackles.
In 2024, Lawrence recorded 23 tackles and 21 assists (44 total) with 9.0 sacks in 12 games before an elbow injury ended his season.
Lawrence’s pass-rush output dropped significantly in 2025 although his role against the run and in absorbing interior blocks remained unchanged. Last season, he played all 17 games but produced 14 tackles, 17 assists (31 total) and 0.5 sacks, along with one interception and four passes defended.
The Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to acquire the 28-year-old, hoping to get immediate production at a position that lacked interior push. Cincinnati’s defensive schemes have relied heavily on edge pressure in recent seasons, and following the departure of Trey Hendrickson, the front office moved to fill that gap immediately by signing Lawrence to anchor the unit.
Dexter Lawrence discusses winning in Cincinnati ahead of 2026 NFL season
As Lawrence prepares for his first year in Cincinnati, he recently discussed his desire to win now after the Bengals gave up their top pick for him.
“I can't explain it. I get a little tense when somebody asks me that. It's this burning fire that, you know, for them to bring me in the way they did and give up what they did, I owe it to them to go out there and dominate on that field.”
Lawrence will be joining a team that already has Joe Burrow, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, leading an established offense that has ranked top 12 in consecutive seasons.
Lawrence slots into a refurbished front seven that now includes Jonathan Allen inside and Boye Mafe on the edge. This group has been built to improve interior penetration and early-down run defense, which Cincinnati struggled with in 2025.
Across his career, Lawrence has recorded 185 tackles, 156 assists (341 total), 30.5 sacks and 15 passes defended in 109 games.
If he produces anywhere near his peak years, he could be a game-changer for the Bengals, who cannot afford to miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season in 2026.