Daniel Jeremiah Says NFL GM Thought Bengals Were 'Screwed' in Draft Before Dexter Lawrence Trade

At least one general manager was reportedly doubtful about the Cincinnati Bengals' prospects for the 2026 NFL draft before the franchise traded its No. 10 pick to acquire defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said he was talking to a GM about potential top-10 draft picks the phone just before the Lawrence trade was reported Saturday night.

"The way we had it going, we both said, 'The Bengals are screwed,'" Jeremiah wrote. "Well, not anymore."

According to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr., one person close to the Bengals had seen the Lawrence trade as a long shot as recently as last week.

When asked about the idea of the Bengals trading for Lawrence, the source texted Dehner: "Dreams are fun."

Multiple draft experts predicted the Bengals would select LSU's Mansoor Delane, who was graded as the top available cornerback on the Bleacher Report big board, with the No. 10 pick.

Other options at No. 10 included Miami edge Reuben Bain Jr. or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles. Jeremiah had previously projected the Bengals would go with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

The Bengals are now likely out of the running to select any of the top defensive players in the draft. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday night that the Giants, whose contract negotiations with Lawrence had reportedly stalled, had traded him to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 pick.

According to ESPN's Ben Baby, that marked the first time since 1966 the Bengals had traded a top-10 pick for a player.

Lawrence racked up 9.0 sacks for the Giants in 2024 before his production dropped last season to just 0.5 sacks in 17 games.

If he is able to bounce back in 2026, Lawrence could help boost a Bengals pass rush that saw no player post more than 5.5 sacks last season. He received the second-most double teams of any interior defensive lineman last season, per ESPN's Bill Barnwell, so his pressure could help take pressure off Cincinnati's edge rushers.

The Bengals could still add some defensive help after the draft starts Thursday in Pittsburgh. Cincinnati still has control over seven picks, starting at No. 41 in the second round.