Dexter Lawrence is playing like the NFL’s best defensive tackle for the Bengals

This ain't your granny's Cincinnati Bengals anymore...right?

The front office made an executive decision this offseason to revamp the worst defense in the NFL and brought in multiple veterans like Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, Johnathan Allen, and, of course, Sexy Dexy.

The Bengals traded away their first round pick for the first time in franchise history to acquire Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants this offseason.

Lawrence has been one of the best football players across the NFL in the past few years, and he was brought in to clog the biggest hole in the Bengals' roster.

Through two weeks, he has done just that, ranking as the highest-graded interior defensive lineman so far this season.

Dexter Lawrence is making an impact in the spine of the Bengals D pic.twitter.com/7axYNGo1Fi

- PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2026

Not only is he the highest-graded defensive lineman, but he is also the highest-graded Bengal on both sides of the football.

Lawrence's impressive start to 2026 doesn't stop there: This is also his highest single-season grade since 2023 and the third-highest of his entire career.

Lawrence was THE difference maker against the Houston Texans and blew up multiple plays all afternoon, including a momentum-shifting 4th-down stop.

Dexter Lawrence is a mountain. What a run stop on 4th down pic.twitter.com/kHBcnhOfbZ

- Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 20, 2026

Big Sexy Dexy has been worth a first round pick and more so far for the Bengals defense, and his leadership has changed the mentality altogether for that unit through two weeks.