Emmanuel Acho Doesn’t Think Bengals Should’ve Traded a First Round Pick for Dexter Lawrence

The Cincinnati Bengals addressed their leaky defense by trading for DT Dexter Lawrence but had to part ways with the 10th overall pick.

Emmanuel Acho Doesn’t Think Bengals Should’ve Traded a First Round Pick for Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence and Emmanuel Acho inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Emmanuel Acho believes the Bengals overpaid by trading a first-round pick for Dexter Lawrence.
  • Lawrence's performance has been underwhelming, with only half a sack last season.
  • The Bengals' defense ranked poorly in 2025, prompting the need for experienced players like Lawrence.

Emmanuel Acho reacted to the Cincinnati Bengals trading away their 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for the defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Despite praising Lawrence for being a solid servant of the game, Acho claimed that the Bengals overpaid for the 28-year-old’s services.

In 2023, Lawrence signed a four-year contract that was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026 season. According to Connor Hughes of SNY, Lawrence demanded an extension similar to Quinnen Williams’ ($30 million APY) after he moved to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants’ new coaching regime under John Harbaugh refused to listen to his request. It led the Giants to make Lawrence available for trade. But they wanted a first-round draft pick in exchange. Eventually, the Bengals offered them the 10th overall pick, which the Giants could not refuse.

Emmanuel Acho shared his view on the latest episode of Speakeasy. He is on board with the Bengals making eye-catching moves to improve their defense. However, he’s not a fan of the price they paid in order to make the deal happen.

Historically, Lawrence has been one of the better nose tackles in the NFL since the Giants selected him 17th overall in 2019. Acho’s only issue with the arrangement is the timing, because Lawrence posted very meager numbers last year and does not boast a track record of being an elite sack maker.

You don’t trade a defensive tackle for a first-round pick unless they are an elite pass rusher. Aaron Donald… JJ Watt… or Fletcher Cox in his time, pass rusher… a Jalen Carter pass rusher… You don’t trade a top 10 overall pick who you have the rights for, cheap in the next five years, or a defensive tackle unless they can give 10+ sacks. Dexter Lawrence half a sack last year, 9.5 the year before… But to me, I don’t think Dexter Lawrence was worth the top 10 overall pick, but he’s nice, make no mistake.

Emmanuel Acho said

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bengals and the Giants had been communicating for the last two weeks to finalize the compensation. Per Spotrac,

Dexter Lawrence’s 1-year, $28 million extension puts him under contract at 3 years, $70 million with the Bengals through the 2028 season.

NFL analyst shared reason behind the Bengals agreeing to part ways with 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence

There’s no denying that the Bengals’ offense is among the best in the league. With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins as the front three, the Bengals are capable of challenging any team.

Emmanuel Acho Doesn't Think Bengals Should've Traded a First Round Pick for Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence (Image via IMAGO)

The defense is a different story, though. FOX Sports metrics revealed that the Bengals’ defense ranked 31st out of 32 teams in total defense, 32nd in rushing defense, 30th in scoring defense, and 28th in third-down defense in 2025. Cincinnati also averaged just 2.1 sacks (22nd in the league).

With most of the salary cap tied up in paying the offense, the Bengals had to improvise. Drafting an elite pass rusher or trading draft capital for an experienced player of Lawrence’s caliber. Field Yates of ESPN noted that there aren’t many top pass rushers in the current draft.

The steep prices paid by the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence underscore two important points about this draft class: This is not a strong draft at the top. The lack of blue chippers is well-established. This draft is extremely thin at defensive tackle.

Field Yates wrote on X

The Bengals also signed Super Bowl winner Boye Mafe earlier this year. A rushing duo of Lawrence and Mafe could change the dynamics of the Bengals’ defense.

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