Joy, on account of the defense getting a big boost and giving Joe Burrow a chance to compete again.
Confusion, because the Bengals did something they’ve never done before.
And nervousness, as there’s no guarantee Lawrence will be able to deliver the kind of value a top 10 pick would.
Well, if it’s any relief, other teams and GMs seem to agree with the wisdom behind the move.
According to Albert Breer of Sports
Illustrated, the Bengals looked at the likelihood they’d ended up drafting someone they had a mid-to-late first-round grade on with the tenth pick and decided they’d rather get someone who can contribute now. “It’s a sentiment I’ve heard from other teams, too, in the aftermath of the deal,” Breer wrote.
“There’s nobody of [Lawrence’s] talent in this year’s draft,” Breer quoted one rival GM as saying. “I would take him over every defensive player in this draft.”
So the Bengals, for once, utilized their Draft capital aggressively, and they are largely getting praise as a result.
