Last night, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals shook up the NFL world with a pre-draft week blockbuster. The G-Men traded All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NYG gets premium draft compensation, Cincy gets a lynchpin, while Sexy Dexy gets a new, big-money extension.
For the Bengals, it means landing one of the league’s best at a position of need, while also making a clear stance that they are in “win-now mode.” For the Giants, it means two picks in the top-ten on Thursday.
It was a hefty cost for Cincinnati, and it left many Dallas Cowboys fans exasperated at the idea of New York holding both 5 and 10 ahead of the 12th pick, America’s Team’s highest of two first-rounders. If you include the Commanders at 7, Dallas will see three prospects go off the board to NFC East teams before they get on the clock.
So, aside from the obvious of NYG gaining another first-rounder, how will this huge move impact the Cowboys? That’s what we’re here to discuss.
1. Congratulations, Cooper Beebe: The Center’s Job Just Got Much Easier
Cooper Beebe, the Cowboys’ starting center, can sleep more peacefully now with Lawrence out of both the division and conference.
In all seriousness, this is a pretty big deal for those highly anticipated Cowboys v. Giants games. Lawrence is one of the top-three guys at his position, and he is a constant focus in the offensive game plan; without him, New York has a weak IDL room.
Lawrence leaving will, presumably, help Dallas in the run and pass game, and it will put some serious pressure on the Giants’ front office to find a suitable replacement.
In the short-term, and in this specific way, the Cowboys (and Beebe) are happy with this trade.
2. Potentially Helpful At 12: Giants Unlikely To Double-Dip, Leading To Defender Falling
The natural reaction from many Cowboys fans was “this is terrible,” and I understand why you may think that right away.
New York has been heavily connected to both Ohio State superstars, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs. Those two guys are dream options for Dallas, but it always seemed inevitable that one would join John Harbaugh in the Big Apple.
So, with two top-ten picks, won’t they just draft both? Not necessarily.
I think the Giants are highly unlikely to double-dip on offense or defense with these two picks. I think you will see either a WR/OT at 5, and Styles/Downs at 10, or the opposite. That means, considering the Bengals were likely to go defense, Dallas’s odds of getting a top defender to 12 rise.
3. Quinnen Williams’s Pockets: Dallas’s Star DT Will Want Similar Money To “Sexy Dexy”
Lastly, I can imagine Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams hitting the “Sexy Dexy” dance when Lawrence’s extension with the Bengals is finalized following his physical.
The whole reason this trade is happening is that Dexter was unhappy with the Giants’ inability to extend him to a massive deal; that led to a trade demand, which led to this blockbuster move. You can bet Cincy will give him that money.
Once they do, the rest of the elite defensive tackles around the league will start hunting for those big bucks, and that includes Williams in Dallas. After all, he’s only extended for two more seasons, and that’s when guys start sniffing around for a new deal.
It cost the Cowboys the equivalent of the 17th overall pick for Quinnen Williams.
And the Cowboys also got Q for seven additional games.
Love both players, but the Cowboys got the better deal.
The Cowboys’ investment in Williams was so significant, I’m sure they imagined they’d have to pay up soon, but there’s no question a gigantic extension for Lawrence only adds to the eventual price tag the former Alabama star will have.
Mr. Williams, get ready to check your banking app, because the big bucks are coming soon.
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