After the NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have apparently completed their defensive makeover. After losing All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency, the Bengals signed Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe for only $12 million more than what the Baltimore Ravens paid Hendrickson.
Then, Cincinnati pulled off the biggest trade of the offseason as they acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the No. 10 pick. The Bengals did not stop there as they used their first two selections in the NFL Draft on defensive players
New York Giants Expected to Sign Former Cincinnati Bengals Defender
The Cincinnati Bengals, who had previously explored trading the No. 10 pick in exchange for All-Pro Maxx Crosby, benefited when Dexter Lawrence unexpectedly requested a trade. While the Giants hoped not to trade him, Cincinnati’s deal was apparently too good to pass up. Now, after the trade, the Giants appear to be looking toward a former Bengals player as Lawrence’s replacement on the defensive line.
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Dave Clark stated that the New York Giants are expected to sign former Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman D.J. Reader.
D.J. Reader was an integral part of the Bengals’ defense that helped them make two deep playoff runs. In four seasons with the Bengals, Reader started 44 regular season games and seven playoff games. Following the 2023 season, Reader left as a free agent and signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Detroit Lions.
Reader, 31, has remained productive throughout his career, and has totaled over $78 million in career earnings. While his production is not as strong as Dexter Lawrence’s, Bengals fans are well aware of the impact Reader can have on a defensive line.
Bengals Draft Grade
Despite the team not having a first-round pick due to the Lawrence trade, the Bengals still managed to receive a positive grade for their draft, as The Ringer’s Danny Kelly gave Cincinnati’s draft a B+. Kelly wrote:
“The Bengals can include star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in their draft-day haul after trading the 10th overall pick for the former Giant. With Lawrence secured, Cincy had to wait until the second day to start drafting but didn’t waste time in adding early contributors. Cashius Howell is an explosive, high-intensity rusher who will bring some much-needed heat from the edge. He figures to play a role in the pass rush rotation from day one. Tacario Davis is a long, athletic corner who can bring some depth to the secondary.
The Bengals got a potential steal in Connor Lew in the fourth round. Lew fell in part because of an ACL injury he suffered last season, but he brings upside as a starter in the middle of the Cincy line. I also liked the team’s selection of seventh-round tight end Jack Endries. The former Longhorns standout has excellent body control and soft hands, giving Joe Burrow another potential weapon on short and intermediate targets over the middle. With Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, and Tanner Hudson all over 30, Endries has a path to the field over the next couple of years. Overall, I liked what Cincinnati did in the draft, especially when you add Lawrence into the equation.”
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