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Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence II is an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dexter Lawrence II is an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played college football at Clemson University before being selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft. He is a multiple-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection and was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.

Early life and college career

Lawrence was born in Wake Forest, North Carolina, on November 12, 1997. He later played college football at Clemson University. He entered the 2019 NFL draft after his college career.

NFL career

The New York Giants selected Lawrence in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, 17th overall. He became a key defensive tackle for New York, recording 109 career regular-season games with 102 starts before his trade. In 2026, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft and signed an extension through the 2028 season.

Professional honors

Lawrence has earned three Pro Bowl selections (2022–2024) and two AP All-Pro Second Team honours (2022 and 2023). These recognitions reflect his reputation as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles.

Playing profile

At roughly 6 feet 4 inches and 342 pounds, Lawrence is known as a powerful interior defensive lineman. His career statistics include more than 30 sacks and over 300 tackles through his move to Cincinnati.

Key facts

  • Played college football at Clemson University.
  • Selected 17th overall by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL draft.
  • Named to the Pro Bowl three times (2022–2024) and AP All-Pro Second Team twice.
  • Traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026 for a first-round pick.
  • Recorded 109 regular-season games with 102 starts for the Giants.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dexter Lawrence?
Dexter Lawrence II is an American NFL defensive tackle who played for the New York Giants and was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.
What college did Dexter Lawrence attend?
He attended Clemson University, where he played college football.
When was Dexter Lawrence drafted?
He was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, 17th overall, by the New York Giants.
What team does Dexter Lawrence play for now?
As of 2026, he is with the Cincinnati Bengals after a trade from the New York Giants.
What awards has Dexter Lawrence won?
He has been selected to three Pro Bowls and twice to the AP All-Pro Second Team.

References

  1. Cincinnati Bengals — https://www.bengals.com/news/dexter-lawrence-trade-giants-bengals-roster-update-2026
    Supports: 2026 trade to the Bengals, extension through 2028, career game totals, Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.
  2. NFL.com — https://www.nfl.com/players/dexter-lawrence/
    Supports: Player position, height, weight, college, age, and active status.
  3. Pro Football Reference — https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LawrDe03.htm
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, career statistics, and draft information.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter_Lawrence
    Supports: Draft selection and injury note from the 2019 NFL Combine.