The Cincinnati Bengals stunned the NFL on Saturday, April 18, by trading for New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Such a high-profile deal is out of character for the old-school Cincinnati franchise. The Bengals, normally conservative with their draft picks, sent the No. 10 overall selection to the Giants for Lawrence.

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Reaction came swiftly from across the NFL with many experts saying the Bengals overpaid for the 28-year-old Lawrence. But Cincinnati players are excited about the opportunity to upgrade a porous defense after a 6-11 campaign.

Cincinnati Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway shared right tackle Amarius Mims’ reaction from the Bengals locker room on Monday, April 20.

“The first person I texted was Joey Boese, my strength coach,” Mims said. “And it’s crazy … we sent the same meme at the same time. It was Dexter doing his little dance, or whatever.

“Hey, man, you get a guy like that in your locker room, man, that’s a whole like team changer, not just a defensive changer. … That man is literally the best D tackle in the NFL, if you ask me.”

Mims, the Bengals’ No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia, has started 30 games, mostly at right tackle. In 2025, he turned in an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 67.6. That ranked him 42nd out of 89 tackles.

Lawrence, who signed a $28 million extension with Cincinnati after the trade, is coming off a down season. He had career lows with a half-sack and 31 tackles.

Still, he commands double and triple teams from offensive linemen, which can provide opportunities for other defenders. The Cincinnati defense ranked 31st in total yards allowed (380.9 per game) and 30th in points allowed (28.9).

Mims said the Bengals’ offensive game plan focused on stopping Lawrence when Cincinnati met the Giants in 2024. The Bengals earned a 17-7 victory in that game, although Lawrence recorded a sack.

“I’m glad to be his teammate,” Mims said. “I’d rather block him in practice than block him in the game. I’m all for it. I’m glad he’s here.”

The NFL is moving full steam ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams have begun offseason workouts and are finalizing their draft boards in preparation for Thursday night.

One of the sport’s greatest spectacles consistently delivers unforgettable moments and stories. Prospects who have worked their entire lives to hear their names called will finally see that work rewarded.

However, some teams repeatedly set their picks up for failure. As a result, those inspiring stories quickly turn into “draft bust” labels. For several franchises, fans should temper expectations for a variety of reasons.

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Here are three teams whose expectations should be reeled in:

New York Giants

With two top-10 picks, the Giants have a prime opportunity to reshape their roster. There’s no way they can mess this up—right?

General manager Joe Schoen still runs the front office. He chose to let Saquon Barkley walk in 2024 and failed to maximize two top-10 picks in 2022.

The good news: new head coach John Harbaugh should provide a stronger voice in the room. But will that be enough to prevent another Schoen misstep?

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Giants fans should feel excited about this opportunity. Still, many can’t help but wonder whether Schoen’s regime will once again get in its own way.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns may have landed a strong 2025 draft class, but their overall track record remains shaky. While they struck gold in rounds two through four last year, consistency has been a problem.

Now, general manager Andrew Berry faces pressure to replicate that success. His earlier draft classes underwhelmed before last season’s breakthrough.

Ownership’s push for the Deshaun Watson trade—one in which Berry played a significant role—also continues to loom over the franchise.

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The Browns appear to have momentum, but can they sustain it? Fans will once again hold their breath in 2026. The team owns two first-round picks, but that only matters if they can finally break from their history and capitalize on both.

Buffalo Bills

The only contender on this list, the Bills operate under general manager Brandon Beane. Simply put, his track record as a talent evaluator raises concerns.

Some fans argued the team should have fired Beane instead of head coach Sean McDermott, especially amid reports that McDermott privately criticized the roster construction.

Despite that, Beane remains in charge and appears to face little pressure. While he has made some solid selections, quarterback Josh Allen stands as the defining pick that continues to justify his tenure.

Bills fans have reason for optimism. As long as Allen is under center, the team will remain competitive. Still, a lingering question persists: how might the front office undermine a championship-caliber roster?