Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
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(Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The issue for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, outside of Joe Burrow getting injured early, was their defense. Cincinnati’s defense cost the team wins, and the Bengals’ front office has attempted to fix the problem this offseason.
Over the offseason, the Bengals have added edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, safety Kyle Dugger, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Nonetheless, could Cincinnati make a major trade to solidify its interior defensive line for next season?
On April 6,ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing league sources, that New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II has requested a trade, and he will not be participating in the team’s offseason workout program that began on April 7.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Post’s Adam Schein shared potential landing spots for Lawrence and trade packages that could entice the Giants, one of them being from the Bengals. Schein believes that Cincinnati could offer both its second and third-round selections for Lawrence.
“Here’s the list in terms of teams that interest me and spots that interest me, and I think that Bengals one is the one that I kind of want to focus on here,”Schein said in a April 7 video from the New York Post. “I wish Iwas convinced that they can get a first‑round pick. I’m not. I hope I’m wrong on that, and it only takes one…
“I am going to be fascinated to see how this plays out, and I really think that you have to explore everything, including that Cincinnati package. Look, I don’t want to trade him, but if you don’t want to pay him, one of these teams is going to have to figure it out.”
Cincinnati Receive Strong Message Regarding Caleb Downs
As far as who the Bengals could take in the first round, there are several names in connection with Cincinnati.In an article published on March 31, ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes that Cincinnati is the ideal team for former Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.
“I think Downs could go higher in the top 10, but this was the best fit in my eyes after the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook in free agency,” Bowen wrote. “Under coordinator Al Golden, Downs would be an interchangeable safety.He could rotate low insingle-high zone, while playing over the top from depth.
“Plus, with Downs’ ability to create disruption near the line of scrimmage, Golden can play him as a big nickelback in three-safety personnel. He has the urgent play demeanor to set the identity of Cincinnati’s defense.”
Jonathan Allen Gets Blunt About Joining Bengals
Another addition that the Bengals made on defense was Allen. On March 13, Allen spoke with the media about signing with the Bengals, and one of the reasons Cincinnati was an ideal spot for him was that he sees himself fitting into the schemes of defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery and defensive coordinator Al Golden.
“That’s one of the things that excited me the most about coming here,” Allen said (h/tBengals.com). “They’re talking about moving me around, getting some one-on-ones and really being able to get after the passer and shut down the run, the things I love to do.”