Giants secure top offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa on draft day after Bengals acquired proven defensive veteran Dexter Lawrence.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft moved as expected through the top picks, with teams addressing quarterback, offensive line and pass rush early. The Cincinnati Bengals were not on the board despite originally holding the No. 10 overall selection as a result of their pre-draft trade with the New York Giants, who controlled the pick and were expected to target offensive line help after ongoing protection issues.
New York had already added defensive talent earlier in the round with the fifth pick and entered the 10th pick needing a long-term solution up front. Protection had been an issue, with quarterback Jaxson Dart absorbing heavy pressure during his rookie season, and stabilizing that unit was a priority. When the selection was announced, the Giants took Francis Mauigoa.
That move finalized the trade: the Bengals exchanged the No. 10 pick for Dexter Lawrence, while the Giants turned Cincinnati’s pick into a potential starting offensive lineman.
Trade outcome: proven interior defender vs top-10 offensive tackle
Lawrence arrives in Cincinnati with a defined NFL profile. Across 109 games, he has 185 tackles, 156 assists (341 total), 30.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits.
In 2025, his production dropped to 14 tackles, 17 assists (31 total) and 0.5 sacks across 17 games. His role did not change as he continued to take on double teams inside, but his pass-rush output declined following three Pro Bowl seasons.
Lawrence lines up at nose and 3-technique, controls the run, and collapses the pocket. That changes protection schemes and creates one-on-one matchups for edge rushers. It’s a move Cincinnati needed as its defense ranked as one of the worst units in the league last season and lacked consistent interior pressure.
Mauigoa fills a different need for New York. At Miami, he started 42 games at right tackle and handled top pass rushers weekly. He allowed limited pressure over that span and was one of the most consistent linemen in the class. His size and length project to the NFL immediately, and he is expected to start as a rookie.
Lawrence improves the defensive front alongside players such as Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe and the expectation is that he brings in a much better run defense and more consistent interior pressure. For the Giants, however, Mauigoa addresses a long-term issue on the offensive line and will get the opportunity to prove himself under new head coach John Harbaugh.